CROI 2022: metabolic and other complications of HIV infection or COVID-19

Comorbid conditions have a major impact on the health, quality of life, and survival of people with HIV, particularly as this population ages. The 2022 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) featured excellent science related to specific comorbidities, such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, and frailty. The role of systemic inflammation in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease was an important theme, with strong evidence regarding the impact of microbial translocation. Other studies examined functional impairment, frailty, and potential important contributors, such as concomitant medications and sleep disturbances. The ANCHOR (Anal Cancer/High-grade Squamous Intraepithelial Lesions Outcomes Research) study provided crucial evidence that treatment of high-risk anal lesions reduces the incidence of anal cancer, which has important implications in the prevention of this devastating comorbidity. In addition, numerous presentations demonstrated the importance of comorbid conditions in COVID-19 outcomes in people with HIV and described persistent symptoms after acute SARS-CoV-2 infection has resolved. This review focuses on the abstracts presented at CROI 2022 in these areas, highlighting those with the most clinical impact.