COMPARISON OF ANTHROPOMETRIC MEASURES OF MEN WITH HIV - ASYMPTOMATIC,SYMPTOMATIC, AND AIDS

Objective Anthropometric measures were performed to determine differen ces in estimated fat mass, lean body mass, and body weight among three groups of men infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Desig n This study was cross-sectional. Setting Local centers of community s ervices and support groups for persons infected with HIV in the provin ce of Quebec, Canada. Subjects Thirty-seven HIV-positive men were recr uited; 11 were asymptomatic CT helper cells [CD4 + count] > 400 cells/ mm(3)), 8 were symptomatic (CD4 + < 400 cells/mm(3)), and 17 were cli nically stable but met the criteria of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Main ou tcome measures Self-reported usual weight, actual weight, body mass in dex, midarm circumference, and triceps and subscapular skinfolds were recorded. From those we derived the percentage of body fat, the midarm muscle, and fat areas. Daily energy and protein intakes were determin ed from a 7-day food record. Clinical signs and symptoms were assessed by a structured questionnaire. Statistical analyses performed For sta tistical comparisons, analysis of variance was used, with P<.05 being significant. Results We found a trend toward a decrease in body weight and in the fat mass indicators as the disease progressed. Lower energ y intakes were observed among symptomatic and AIDS groups. The number of nutrition-related clinical signs and symptoms experienced by each i ndividual correlated with the magnitude of weight loss (P<.0004, gamma =-.69). Applications The findings suggest that anthropometric measures can be used in routine clinical practice to assess changes in body we ight and in estimated fat mass among men infected with HIV. Symptoms a nd energy intakes should be assessed to identify subjects at high risk of greater weight loss.