Valutazione diagnostica e trattamento della dislipidemia nel paziente in terapia HAART

Serious cardiovascular risk factors, including mixed dyslipidemia, visceral adiposity, insulin resistance, diabetes mellitus, and arterial hypertension (the so-called metabolic syndrome), have been increasingly reported in association with the combined, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Although the introduction of HAART has acted notably on the natural history of HIV disease, prolonged lipid and dysmetabolic abnormalities are expected to lead to increased incidence of cardiovascular diseases. Appropriate lifestyle changes are critical points, as well as eventual HAART modifications, although pharmacological treatment of metabolic abnormalities often becomes mandatory. Here we focus on pharmacologic options to treat dyslipidemia, with emphasis on the role of long chain N-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA).