Effects of oral nutritional support in hospitalized patients with AIDS

The emergence of more effective therapies for the treatment of Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has reduced the rates of illness, mortality and malnutrition among infected patients. However, reduced food intake, nutrient malabsorption and metabolic alterations induced by fever and infection are seen in cases of hospital malnutrition. The aim of the present study was to assess the impact of oral nutritional support (ONS) on hospitalized patients with AIDS. The following variables were analyzed: weight, body mass index (BMI), triceps skinfold (TSF), arm circumference (AC), arm muscle circumference (AMC), albumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit and total serum lymphocytes. Significant improvements were found in weight, BMI, TSF, AC, albumin and lymphocytes after 19.27 ± 7.45 days of ONS, whereas no significant improvements were found in AMC, hemoglobin or hematocrit. Dietary intervention with nutritional counseling and the use of supplements led to an improvement in the nutritional status of malnourished individuals with AIDS, but with an increase in adipose tissue and no impact on lean muscle mass or anemia.