ENDOCRINE FUNCTION IN THE HIV WASTING SYNDROME

We compared endocrine function in patients with the HIV wasting syndro me with other HIV-positive patients without wasting to determine assoc iations between endocrine dysfunction and wasting. Sixty-six HIV-serop ositive patients were evaluated by thyroid, gonadal, and adrenal funct ion tests. Fourteen of these patients met the clinical definition of w asting. Total and free testosterone levels were significantly lower in patients with wasting compared with patients without wasting with bot h similar and higher mean CD4 counts. Prolactin levels were significan tly higher, and cortisol levels were higher with borderline significan ce in patients with wasting compared with patients with similar CD4 co unts without wasting. These findings suggest that endocrine function i n the HIV wasting syndrome differs from that of HIV-infected patients without wasting, which may have implications about the pathogenesis an d treatment of the HIV wasting syndrome.