title: HIV-1 infection in women is associated with severe nutritional deficiencies.
abstract: Nutritional deficiencies may contribute to immune dysregulation, and have been shown to be sensitive markers of HIV-1 disease progression. Only limited information exists, however, regarding the nutritional profile of HIV-1-seropositive drug abusers. Immune and nutritional measurements were obtained in a subsample of 125 subjects from a larger cohort of drug users being followed for HIV-1 infection and cofactors of disease progression. Nutritional deficiencies, particularly vitamins A, E, and zinc, were widespread with up to 86% of the drug users exhibiting at least one nutritional alteration. Although immune parameters (CD4 count, CD8 count, beta2-microglobulin) were similar in the HIV-1-infected men and women, women had significantly poorer overall nutritional status, as measured by plasma proteins, which are considered to be sensitive markers of malnutrition. A comparison of individuals with advanced disease (CD4 count <200/mm3) revealed significantly lower levels of plasma prealbumin (p < .01), selenium, (p < .05), and greater deficiency of vitamins A (p < .01) and E (p < .05) in women than in men. The greater severity of nutritional deficiencies noted in HIV-1-infected women may be an important determinant of disease progression and survival.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Miami School of Medicine, Florida 33136, USA.
authors.forename: M K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Baum
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Shor-Posner
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Lai
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Quesada
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Campa
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jose-Burbano
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Fletcher
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sauberlich
authors.forename: J B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Page
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004435:Eating; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009748:Nutrition Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000276:immunology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009752:Nutritional Status / Q000276:immunology; D012737:Sex Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000503:physiopathology; D014815:Vitamins / Q000097:blood; D015032:Zinc / Q000097:blood
chemical_list: D014815:Vitamins; D015032:Zinc