Download Nutritional Supplementation in HIV-Infected

Poster No. 83
Title:
Nutritional Supplementation in HIV-Infected Individuals in South India
Authors:
Soumya Swaminathan, Padmapriyadarsini Chandrasekaran, Sukumar Balushetty, Sheikh Iliayas,
Karthipriya Jeyachandran, Gomathy Paraman, Beena Thomas, Minnie Mathew, Lee Yoojin, Christine Wanke
Presented by:
Padmapriyadarsini Chandrasekaran
Departments:
Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine; Department
of Clinical Research, Tuberculosis Research Centre, Chennai, India; United Nations’ World Food
Programme, Italy
Abstract:
Background: Malnutrition in HIV-infected individuals results in suboptimal response to antiretroviral therapy,
disease progression and a higher mortality rate.
Methods: We conducted an interventional study, to evaluate the effects of a high-protein, high-calorie oral
supplement, on the anthropometry, body composition and immune status of HIV-infected adults, between
2005–2007, at the Tuberculosis Research Centre, India. After the initial nutritional assessment, patients were
given the supplement and assessed clinically every month by 24-hour dietary recall. Anthropometry, body
composition, blood chemistry, and immunology were measured at the 6th month. The outcomes assessed were
changes in the nutritional status in terms of anthropometry, blood chemistry, immune status, and body
composition.
Results: Among the 371 who completed 6 months of follow up, 288 received the supplement and 83 standard of
care. The mean age was 31.5 + 7.3 years and 42% were males. After 6 months of supplementation, a significant
increase in protein consumption, body weight, body mass index, mid arm circumference, fat free mass, and body
cell mass was seen in the supplemented group with moderate to severe immunosuppression, but not in controls.
There was a significant decline (p<0.05) in the serum albumin and CD4 cell count in the control group, while
they remained unchanged in the supplemented group.
Conclusions: High calorie, high protein oral nutritional supplement in HIV-infected patients results in a
significant improvement in body mass index, body composition and immune function. Such interventions are
likely to have a major impact in resource limited, HIV high burden countries where access to antiretroviral
therapy is low.
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