Pulmonary hypertension in the global population of adolescents and adults living with HIV: a systematic review and meta-analysis

A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to estimate the prevalence of PH in adolescents and adults living with HIV at the global level. PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Global Index Medicus were searched to identify articles published until November 4, 2018. PH had to be investigated with transthoracic echography or right heart catheterization (RHC). A random-effects model was used to pool individual studies. Overall, 25 studies with 42,642 participants from 17 countries were included. One study reported the prevalence of PH among HIV-infected adults based on RHC: 0.5% (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.3–0.6). The global prevalence of PH based on echography was 8.3% (95% CI: 4.6–12.8; 22 studies) among HIV-infected adults. In subgroup analysis, there was no difference between regions, human development indicator, and HIV burden in countries. Among HIV-infected adolescents, the prevalence of PH based on echography was 14.0% (95% CI: 2.2–33.1; 2 studies). This study suggests a high prevalence of PH in the global adolescent and adult population infected with HIV. As such, PH in this vulnerable population should be prioritized by HIV healthcare providers, policy makers and stakeholders for improved detection, overall proper management and efficient control.