Human immunodeficiency virus-associated diarrhea and wasting in Zambia: selected risk factors and clinical associations.

Abstract

A significant association was observed among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive adult cases in Lusaka, Zambia compared with HIV-negative controls for chronic diarrhea (68% versus 22%; P Ͻ 0.05), weight loss (54% versus 30%; P Ͻ 0.05), lymphadenopathy (44% versus 15%; P Ͻ 0.05), and skin eruption (33% versus 7%; P Ͻ 0.05). Among the HIV-positive children, a higher proportion had clinical evidence of tuberculosis when compared with HIV-negative children (8% versus 1%; P Ͻ 0.05). The study demonstrated an association between weight loss in HIV-positive adults and children and chronic diarrhea (odds ratio [OR] ϭ 12.7, 95% confidence interval [CI] ϭ 6.4-25.5; P Ͻ 0.001), persistent cough (OR ϭ 7.2, 95% CI ϭ 2.9-14.5; P Ͻ 0.001), and an age of 31-45 years (OR ϭ 3.8, 95% CI ϭ 1.8-8.3; P Ͻ 0.01). The factors associated with mortality in HIV positive patients included chronic diarrhea (OR ϭ 7.4, 95% CI ϭ 1.6-34; P Ͻ 0.01), and lymphadenopathy (OR ϭ 3.89, 95% CI ϭ 1.2-12.2; P Ͻ 0.04).

Nutritional status of adult inpatients in Bujumbura, Burundi (impact of HIV infection)

“…The role of OI in the development of malnutrition among HIV seropositive subjects is crucial (Melchior et al, 1993;Chintu et al, 1998) and strategies should be developed to prevent, diagnose and treat them as soon as they occur. In hospital settings and at community levels, special emphasis should be placed on TB, the most frequent OI in Africa and a major cause of malnutrition (Kennedy et al, 1996;Niyongabo et al, 1994).…”

Features associated with underlying HIV infection in severe acute childhood malnutrition: a cross sectional study

“…Diarrhea is common in children presenting with SAM, with enteropathy and persistent diarrhea (PD) common in HIV (21,25), though intestinal helminths appear equally prevalent (26,27). Clubbing, indicative of chronic lung disease (CLD) is seen in HIV (2), though not specifically reported in SAM.…”

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

“…Risk of acute weight loss was significantly increased when oral symptoms or trouble swallowing were present, and it was decreased when highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was used or when diarrhea was not present. Even when HAART is being administered, clinicians should remain vigilant regarding weight loss, oral symptoms, and trouble swallowing.HIV-associated weight loss and wasting are still prevalent in the era of HAART [1] and are indicators of poor prognosis [2][3][4]. Several pharmacologic [5][6][7][8], nutritional [9], and exercise treatments [8, 10] have been tested for AIDS-related wasting.…”