Improved body weight status as a result of nutrition intervention in adult, HIV-positive outpatients.
OBJECTIVE
Malnutrition is an important consequence of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); involuntary weight loss greater than 10% is one criterion that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses for the diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). This study was designed to determine whether nutrition intervention in a group of adult, HIV-positive outpatients affected weight maintenance.


METHODS
We undertook a retrospective review of 175 patient charts from the AIDS Reproductive Health Clinic and the Center for Special Studies at The New York Hospital. Forty-nine charts were excluded because the patient expressed a desire to reduce weight, discontinued medical care, or died. Seven charts were eliminated because of missing data. In the remaining patients (n = 119), weights were recorded for the initial clinic contact and for a follow-up visit at least 6 months later. Nutrition intervention completed by a registered dietitian was indicated on 42 patient charts (intervention group); intervention included dietary assessment, intake analysis, appropriate counselling, follow-up, and provision of supplements as needed. The remaining 77 charts did not indicate nutrition intervention; this group was called the nonintervention group. Differences between the intervention and nonintervention groups were analyzed using the two-tailed Fisher exact test and the Mann-Whitney nonparametric test.


RESULTS
Forty-two subjects (35% of the total) recieved nutrition intervention, including all of those with gastrointestinal problems (n = 10) and wasting (n = 11). Individuals in the intervention group gained a significant (P < .02) 1.2 +/- 11.4 lb (mean +/- standard deviation; median = +3 lb) compared with those in the nonintervention group who lost a mean of 3.5 +/- 12.8 lb (median = -4 lb). Twenty-six subjects (63%) in the intervention group maintained or gained weight compared with 32 subjects (42%), in the nonintervention group.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study suggest that nutrition intervention in HIV-infected persons can improve nutritional status and may lead to an enhanced ability to fight infection.
McKinley
M J
MJ
Center for Special Studies, New York Hospital, NY.
Goodman-Block
J
J
Lesser
M L
ML
Salbe
A D
AD
D000328:Adult; D001835:Body Weight; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D004614:Emaciation / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005767:Gastrointestinal Diseases / Q000150:complications; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000178:diet therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000150:complications; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013577:Syndrome