Prevalence of and Factors Associated with Hypertension Among Adults on Dolutegravir-Based Antiretroviral Therapy in Uganda: A Cross Sectional Study.

Introduction: Dolutegravir-based anti-retroviral therapy (ART) regimens were rolled out as first line HIV treatment in Uganda due to their tolerability, efficacy and high resistance barrier to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). They have however been associated with weight gain, dyslipidemia and hyperglycemia which are cardiometabolic risk factors of hypertension. We assessed the prevalence and factors associated with hypertension among adults on dolutegravir regimens.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 430 systematically sampled adults on dolutegravir-based ART for ≥ 6 months. Hypertension was defined as systolic blood pressure ≥ 140 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 90 mmHg or history of use of antihypertensive agents.

Results: The prevalence of hypertension was 27.2% (117 of 430 participants) [95% CI: 23.2-31.6]. Majority were female (70.7%), the median age 42 [34, 50] years, with body mass index (BMI) ≥ 25 kg/m³ (59.6%) and median duration on DTG-based regimens of 28 [15, 33] months. Being male [aPR: 1.496, 95% CI: 1.122-1.994, P = 0.006], age ≥ 45 years [aPR: 4.23, 95% CI: 2.206-8.108, P < 0.001] and 35-44 years [aPR: 2.455, 95% CI: 1.216-4.947, P < 0.012] as compared with age < 35 years, BMI ≥ 25 kg/m³ [aPR: 1.489, 95% CI: 1.072-2.067, P = 0.017] as compared with BMI < 25 kg/m³, duration on dolutegravir-based ART [aPR: 1.008, 95% CI: 1.001-1.015, P = 0.037], family history of hypertension [aPR: 1.457, 95% CI: 1.064-1.995, P = 0.019] and history of heart disease [aPR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.205-2.484, P = 0.003] were associated with hypertension.

Conclusion: One in every four people with HIV (PWH) on dolutegravir-based ART has hypertension. We recommend the integration of hypertension management in the HIV treatment package and policies to improve existing supply chains for low cost and high-quality hypertension medications.