Nutrition support in HIV infection

Nutritional aberration and related morphological disorders among patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) in Ghana: A retrospective study

“…Globally, major improvements have been made in the protocol for caring and supporting persons living with HIV (PLHIV) since the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) resulting in substantial improvements in morbidity and mortality. In fact, patients on antiretroviral therapy (ART) management are expected to achieve near to normal longevity [ 1 ]. Nonetheless, these gains have generated concerns about the health and nutritional status of PLHIV.…”

“…Nonetheless, these gains have generated concerns about the health and nutritional status of PLHIV. Several reports have indicated metabolic and nutritional abnormalities among PLHIV [2,3,4], which are either HIV infection related [1], due to primary malnutrition caused by insufficient intake [2] or consequences of the ART regimen provided. Long-term ART use has been associated with morphological changes and metabolic complications including lipodystrophy [5] which is characterized by peripheral fat loss in the face, limbs, and buttocks, as well as central fat accumulation in the abdomen and breasts and over the dorsocervical spine and lipomas [6].…”