Background: The ill effects of malnutrition like disease progression, increased morbidity and reduced survival have been well documented among HIV patients. However, the exact pattern of malnutrition or the individual micronutrient deficiencies responsible for clinical worsening have not been elucidated in much detail earlier.
Aim: To study the pattern of micronutrient deficiency among HIV patients and find out possible correlation with disease progression.
Methods: Cross Sectional study of 144 HIV positive cases with a recently done CD4 count. After getting informed consent, venous sample was collected for estimation of micro & macronutrients in fully automated analyzer. Statistical Analysis Plan: Student independent ‘t’test using SPSS software11.5
Result: A total of 144 PLHIV were recruited. The CD4 count ranged from 62 to 1564 [mean 502.2]. Only 3 parameters showed significant decrease correlating well with CD4 counts. These included Serum magnesium 1.44 ± 0.60[Mean± SD], Serum Zinc 53.5± 15.4[Mean± SD] andBMI 21.78± 3.41 [Mean± SD]. The Body Mass Index [BMI],serum magnesium and zinc weresignificantly low in advanced disease than in those with CD4 counts >500 [p <0.05].
Conclusion: Malnutrition is a forerunner of disease progression in PLHIV. Our study identified the micronutrient deficiencies which hallmark disease worsening. Lowering of BMI, low Serum Magnesium and Zinc levels significantly predict a downhill course and can be used as potential markers and therapeutic targets to arrest the relentless progression of HIV.
Impact Factor
2022: 6.012
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