Age, Gender, and Other Predictors of the Wasting Syndrome among HIV-1-Infected Injecting Drug Users

Difficulty Swallowing and Lack of Receipt of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Predict Acute Weight Loss in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Disease

“…Patientreported symptoms have been shown elsewhere to be important independent predictors of weight loss [11,12]. Symptoms may impose barriers to food intake [29], be indicators of nutrient malabsorption [30], or be indicators of illnesses that change metabolic needs and decrease physical activity [29,31].…”

“…In homosexual/bisexual men, fatigue that occurred 1-1.5 years before onset of weight loss was a risk factor for loss of у10% of weight, whereas oral thrush predated this weight loss at a shorter interval (6 months before onset) [11]. In injection drug users, diarrhea predicted у10% loss of body weight from baseline [12]. Neither study calculated weight loss over short intervals or determined symptom severity.…”

Gender-specific orexigenic and anorexigenic mechanisms in rats

“…Anorexia-associated tissue wasting and weight loss is a major cause of mortality in chronically ill patients (Hataya et al, 2003;Ramos et al, 2004). Diseaseassociated inflammatory responses and inflammation-mediated appetite suppression are suggested as contributive factors to anorexia (Grinspoon et al, 1997;Hankins and Handley, 1992;Sorkin et al, 1995). In contrast to anorexia, an increased orexigenic drive which leads to overeating is regarded as a primary causal factor in weight gain and obesity.…”

Combination Megestrol Acetate, Oxandrolone, and Dietary Advice Restores Weight in Human Immunodeficiency Virus

“…29 Older age and female gender have also been associated with wasting in IDUs. 30 Presence of ADI(s) is a known independent predictor of wasting. Factors that are associated with wasting are the same factors that are also associated with better response to treatment of HRWL.…”