A. Dannhauser et al., Nutritional status of HIV-1 seropositive patients in the Free State Province of South Africa: Anthropometric and dietary profile, EUR J CL N, 53(3), 1999, pp. 165-173
Objective: To evaluate the nutritional intake and status of HIV-1 seroposit
ive patients, as well as the relationship between malnutrition and disease
stage.
Design: A cross-sectional study.
Settings: The Immunology Clinic at the Pelonomi Hospital in Bloemfontein, S
outh Africa.
Subjects: Eighty-one HIV/AIDS patients in different stages of disease were
recruited consecutively from January to May 1995. Eleven of these patients
were followed in 1997.
Main outcome measures: Anthropometric data including current weight, height
, triceps skinfold thickness, mid-upper-arm circumference, body mass index
and bone-free arm muscle area were collected. Nutrient intake was estimated
using a diet history in combination with a standardised food frequency que
stionnaire. The patients were divided into 3 groups according to their CD4(
+) T cell counts.
Results: The men were leaner (BMI = 18.9) than the women (BMI = 22.7) and p
atients with a CD4+ T cell count < 200 (stage III) tended to have the lowes
t median values for all anthropometric measurements. More than half the pat
ients had a low intake (< 67% of the recommended dietary allowances) of vit
amin C, vitamin B-6, vitamin D, Vitamin A, calcium, iron and zinc.
Conclusions: The results confirms that HIV/AIDS patients from this populati
on are malnourished There was, however, no association between disease stag
e and nutritional status. Nutritional supplementation of HIV/AIDS patients
should be considered, as this might lead to improved immune function in the
se patients.