Impact of a selenium chemoprevention clinical trial on hospital admissions of HIV-infected participants.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the impact of selenium chemoprevention (200 microg/day) on hospitalizations in HIV-positive individuals.


METHODS
Data were obtained from 186 HIV+ men and women participating in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled selenium clinical trial (1998-2000). Supplements were dispensed monthly, and clinical evaluations were conducted every 6 months. Inpatient hospitalizations, hospitalization costs, and rates of hospitalization were determined 2 years before and during the trial.


RESULTS
At enrollment, no significant differences in CD4 cell counts or viral burden were observed between the two study arms. Fewer placebo-treated participants were using antiretrovirals (p <.05). The total number of hospitalizations declined from 157 before the trial to 103 during the 2 year study. A marked decrease in total admission rates (RR = 0.38; p =.002) and percent of hospitalizations due to infection/100 patients for those receiving selenium was observed (p =.01). As a result, the cost for hospitalization decreased 58% in the selenium group, compared to a 30% decrease in the placebo group (p =.001). In the final analyses, selenium therapy continued to be a significant independent factor associated with lower risk of hospitalization (p =.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Selenium supplementation appears to be a beneficial adjuvant treatment to decrease hospitalizations as well as the cost of caring for HIV-1-infected patients.
Burbano
Ximena
X
Division of Disease Prevention, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Miami, Florida 33136, USA.
Miguez-Burbano
Maria Jose
MJ
McCollister
Kathryn
K
Zhang
Guoyan
G
Rodriguez
Allan
A
Ruiz
Phillip
P
Lecusay
Robert
R
Shor-Posner
Gail
G
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D005431:Florida; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D017721:Hospital Costs; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000191:economics / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012643:Selenium / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load
D012643:Selenium