HIV-associated malnutrition. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1995. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

HIV-associated malnutrition. Clearinghouse, P.O. Box 6003, Rockville, MD 20849-6003. 800-458-5231 ext. 5023.

J Physicians Assoc AIDS Care. 1995 Jan;2(1):12-5. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE AIDS/95700083
Kotler DP; Columbia University, Medical Center, College of Physicians and; Surgeons, New York, NY 10032.

Abstract: The author reviews the role of malnutrition in HIV infection. He hypothesizes that malnutrition contributes to complications encountered by an HIV-infected person and malnutrition problems are independent of the degree of immune depletion. Healthcare professionals have placed little emphasis on nutritional education. Nutritional trials have been a low priority for organized clinical trials groups, and clinical application of nutritional therapies is flawed. There is no advocacy for proper nutrition and no accepted standard of nutritional care in HIV disease. Cost cutting may further hamper efforts to provide nutritional support. While the last few years have seen advances in the understanding of the weight loss that results from HIV-associated malnutrition, much is left to be done. Preliminary results of a small randomized controlled trial suggest that treatment with an oral enteral supplement may provide an effective and far less costly alternative to treatment with total parenteral nutrition (TNP). Studies on how malnutrition may relate to problems with food intake, nutrient absorption, or intermediary metabolism are reviewed. The author concludes that definitive clinical trials must be performed, including estimates of costs and clinical outcomes, and nutritional end points. The results of these studies must be used in the continuing development of healthcare financing policy.

Keywords: Body Weight Gastrointestinal Diseases/COMPLICATIONS Human HIV Infections/*COMPLICATIONS/THERAPY Megestrol/THERAPEUTIC USE Nutrition Disorders/ETIOLOGY/PHYSIOPATHOLOGY/*THERAPY Nutritional Status Parenteral Nutrition, Total NEWSLETTER ARTICLE REVIEW
950530
M9551033

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