Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome among people on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy: A cross-sectional study in southwestern Uganda
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Date
2025-08-29
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Sage
Abstract
Objective: The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is a predictor of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease—a hepatic manifestation of metabolic syndrome. This study investigated the association between total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in southwestern Uganda.
Methods: We conducted a secondary analysis of data obtained from a cross-sectional study of 377 adults who had been on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy for at least 1 year at Ruhoko Health Centre IV, southwestern Uganda.
Results: The median total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio was significantly higher in individuals with metabolic syndrome (3.92) than in those without (2.96, p < 0.001). A statistically significant association was observed between high total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome (adjusted odds ratios: 2.06, 95% confidence interval: 1.08–3.91, p 1⁄4 0.028). The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio at an optimal cutoff of 3.30 had a significant ability (area under the curve 1⁄4 0.696, 95% confidence interval: 0.642–0.750) to differentiate participants with metabolic syndrome from those without at a sensitivity of 73% and specificity of 60%.
Conclusion: The total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is a significant pre-dictor of metabolic syndrome and serves as a potential blood-based biomarker.
Description
Keywords
Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, Metabolic syndrome, Blood-based bio-marker, Predictor, Dolutegravir
Citation
Bagenda, C. N., Nantongo, C., Ssemwanga, E., Mugisa, M. J., Ojuko, S., Sempijja, F., ... & Rugera, S. P. (2025). Total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio is a significant predictor of metabolic syndrome among people on dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy: A cross-sectional study in southwestern Uganda. Journal of International Medical Research, 53(8), 03000605251370323.