Micronutrient supplementation in the AIDS diarrhoea-wasting syndrome in Zambia: a randomized controlled trial.
OBJECTIVE
As HIV has spread through sub-Saharan Africa, persistent diarrhoea has emerged as a major problem in hospitals and in the community in severely affected areas. We have previously demonstrated that antiprotozoal therapy with albendazole reduces diarrhoea in AIDS patients in urban Zambia. This trial was designed to test the hypothesis that the clinical response to albendazole might be improved by oral micronutrient supplementation.


METHODS
Randomized, placebo-controlled trial.


METHODS
Home care service of Ndola Central Hospital, Zambia.


METHODS
HIV-seropositive patients with persistent diarrhoea.


METHODS
Patients were randomized to albendazole plus vitamins A, C and E, selenium and zinc orally or albendazole plus placebo, for 2 weeks.


METHODS
Time with diarrhoea following completion of treatment; mortality; adverse events.


RESULTS
Serum vitamin A and E concentrations before treatment were powerful predictors of early mortality, but supplementation did not reduce time with diarrhoea or mortality during the first month, even after taking into account initial vitamin A or E concentrations, CD4 cell count or clinical markers of illness severity. Serum concentrations of vitamins A and E did not increase significantly in supplemented patients compared with those given placebo, and there were no changes in CD4 cell count or haematological parameters. No adverse events were detected except those attributable to underlying disease.


CONCLUSIONS
Although micronutrient deficiency is predictive of early death in Zambian patients with the diarrhoea-wasting syndrome, short-term oral supplementation does not overcome it nor influence morbidity or mortality.
Kelly
P
P
Digestive Diseases Research Centre, St Bartholomew's and the Royal London School of Medicine and Dentistry.
Musonda
R
R
Kafwembe
E
E
Kaetano
L
L
Keane
E
E
Farthing
M
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D003967:Diarrhea / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D004750:Enteral Nutrition; D005260:Female; D019247:HIV Wasting Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015024:Zambia