Tobacco smoking and body composition in persons living with HIV/AIDS

Abstract

This study aimed to assess the association between tobacco smoking and body composition in patients with HIV/AIDS in combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). This is a cross-sectional study with people of HIV followed in specialized care service for HIV patients located in the South of Brazil. The Alcohol, Smoking and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST) was used to assess smoking and other psychoactive substance use. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated as the ratio of body weight (in kilograms) to squared height (in meters). Patients also had their body composition evaluated with a multi-frequency bioelectrical impedance (Bodystat® Quadscan 4000, RU) to estimate skeletal muscle index (SMI). In total, 320 subjects were included in the study. The prevalence of smoking was 54.7%. Tobacco smoking was associated with malnutrition, lower body mass index scores, and lower skeletal muscle mass index. It is concluded that there is a high prevalence of smoking among patients with HIV/AIDS and that this behavior is associated with worse body composition. Thus, it is suggested to implement strategies to support smoking cessation among people with HIV/AIDS.