Alice M Tang

..The clinical implications of lower body weight in drug using populations are uncertain given that lower mean weights may still fall within the healthy range...

..Drug users are at increased risk of malnutrition regardless of whether or not they are infected with HIV. Little data exists on the nutritional status of drug users (with or without HIV infection) in India...

..This is particularly important because recent studies have shown that even a 5% weight loss in 6 months markedly increases the risk of death...

..In addition, FFM or BCM estimated using bioelectrical impedance analysis does not add further prognostic value over weight loss...

..Extremes in micronutrient intakes are common in HIV-infected patients in developed countries and may affect the progression of atherosclerosis in this population...

..Instead, results of this study depict the potential benefits associated with eating high-quality diets, primarily adequate fiber and protein intake. Diet can be important in preventing development of fat deposition in patients with HIV...

..Elevated serum triglyceride and low HDL-cholesterol concentrations have been reported in persons with HIV...

..Low serum micronutrient levels were common before widespread use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and were associated with adverse outcomes. Few data are available on micronutrient levels in subjects taking HAART...

..BMI was also directly associated with CD4 count and inversely related to age more than 55 years old. HIV-infected cocaine users may be at higher risk of developing malnutrition, suggesting the need for anticipatory nutritional support...

..Micronutrient inadequacy and excess are relatively common in persons living with HIV infection. Practitioners need to judiciously address optimal nutrient intake from both diet and dietary supplements in this population...

..Metabolic syndrome increases the risk of cardiovascular outcomes and type II diabetes. Most of the metabolic abnormalities defining metabolic syndrome are observed in HIV...

..High triglyceride concentrations and low HDL-cholesterol concentrations are the most common health abnormalities and raise concerns about an increased risk of cardiovascular disease...

..As the safety of micronutrient supplementation is not established, policy for appropriate HIV clinical care should distinguish between populations with and without hepatitis coinfection...

..We measured 2 surrogate markers of subclinical atherosclerosis, carotid intima-media thickness (c-IMT) and coronary artery calcium (CAC) scores, in HIV-infected adults...

..To describe the prevalence of low serum Se and determine whether HIV, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and/or the types of drugs used are associated with serum Se in a cohort of infected and uninfected drug users...

..In the third analysis, the researchers found that body weight, fat-free mass, and body mass index improved in patients receiving nutritional intervention compared with patients receiving placebo...

..Lipodystrophy has been described with increasing frequency in patients infected with HIV. This study focused on the identification of dietary components that may predispose HIV-positive patients to the development of fat deposition...

..Serum B(12) levels should be determined yearly in persons with HIV infection, regardless of whether they are receiving PI treatment...

..Even among poorly educated, nongay male patients with insecure housing, rates of ingested CAM use were substantial. Physicians should routinely ask about ingested CAM therapy use and become knowledgeable about potential hazards...

..Clearly, more research is needed, but current knowledge supports the use of a multivitamin supplement as a low-cost adjunct to antiretroviral treatment...

..24, 12.21), p = 0.013. Adherence was high with all measures. Only MPR, was associated with short-term virologic response, suggesting its cross-culturally utility for early identification of patients at high risk for virologic failure...

..Studies are needed to determine whether improving weight prior to, or at, ART initiation will result in improved outcomes on ART...

..This approach should prove useful for both researchers and aid agencies working in non-western countries...

..Injection drug use seems to be associated with iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia. Further longitudinal studies are needed to gain insight into the nature of this association...

..002), but may be driven by the association with adiposity. These data suggest validity of self-reports for body habitus changes among injection drug users...

..Support of programs that are designed to serve hard-to-reach populations and target couples may be effective in increasing HIV testing among active IDUs...

..Meanwhile, this information will assist both physicians and patients with prostate cancer to make informed decisions regarding androgen deprivation therapy...

..The results from this observational study may help to guide the design of more effective interventions of antioxidant supplementation in the era of PI's. ..