Abstract Objective: To evaluate muscle functionality, physical performance and body composition in young people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). Subjects and methods: Eighty-one HIV-infected and 54 uninfected (20 to 50 years) male and female subjects were enrolled to participate. Patient evaluation included body composition by DXA (dual energy X-rays), SARC-F questionnaire, hand grip and timed up & go (TUG) tests. Results: Fifty PLWH and 50 age-gender matched controls completed the study. The median age was 40 (25-49) vs. 36.5 […]

ABSTRACT Objective: The objective of the current study was to estimate energy expenditure and compare it with the usual food consumption of PLWH, and to determine whether duration of high-potency antiretroviral therapy (HAART) influenced nutritional intake and adequacy. Materials and methods: Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) provided data for estimating resting energy expenditure (REE) using Melchior’s equations. Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) and 24-Hour Recall were used to verify if reported food intake aligned with energy, macro and micronutrient […]

ABSTRACT Objective The present study compares immune and endocrine parameters between HIV-infected patients who underwent the Immune Reconstitution Inflammatory Syndrome (IRIS-P) during antiretroviral therapy (ART) and HIV-patients who did not undergo the syndrome (non-IRIS-P). Materials and methods Blood samples were obtained from 31 HIV-infected patients (15 IRIS-P and 16 non-IRIS-P) before ART (BT) and 48 ± 2 weeks after treatment initiation (AT). Plasma Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and Interleukin-18 (IL-18) were determined by ELISA. Cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEA-S) and thyroxin concentrations were […]

Objective To investigate risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis D in adult patients infected with HIV/aids, at a referral hospital in Maceió, Brazil. Subjects and methods This cross-sectional study involved 125 patients evaluated from April to September 2013 by means of interviews, review of medical records, physical examination, and laboratory tests. The data were analyzed using the SPSS® software, version 17.0; the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D and mean levels of vitamin D were determined. The association between hypovitaminosis D and the […]

With the advent of high active antiretroviral therapy there was a significant improvement on HIV subjects survival. Thus, bone changes related to HIV became an important aspect of these individuals. HIV affects bone remodeling causing bone fragility. In addition, antiretroviral therapy may also negatively affect bone metabolism. Several studies describe an increased incidence of fractures in these patients when compared with controls without the disease. The European Society of AIDS (EACS), and other societies, have included guidance on management of […]

Autoimmune thyroid diseases (AITD) are the main causes of thyroid dysfunction and the most common autoimmune diseases in the world. An association between AITD and infections with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), in combination with the effects of highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), has been suggested by several research groups. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the frequency of thyroid dysfunction and AITD in women > 35 years of age infected with HIV, and to identify factors […]

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to discover the prevalence of overweight, obesity and cardiovascular risk in our HIV/AIDS outpatients according to sex, antiretroviral therapy and other variables. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Patients underwent an anthropometric assessment. Body mass index and waist circumference were used to classify their nutritional status and their cardiovascular risk. RESULTS: The majority of the 345 patients (58.8%) were males. Obesity was detected in 8.3% of them; 34.2% were overweight, and 5.2% malnourished. Near half of […]

The gradual and progressive replacement of infectious and parasitic by chronic diseases as causes of morbidity and mortality, characterizing the process of epidemiological transition hasn’t been observed in various populations, especially in underdeveloped or developing countries characterizing a superposition of these profiles (incomplete transition). Besides the increased prevalence of metabolic disorders, various infectious diseases remain endemic in several regions, such as leprosy, tuberculosis, leishmaniasis, viral hepatitis, among others, as well as emerging diseases in recent decades, as HIV infection/Aids. In […]

The epidemiological profile of the HIV virus has undergone substantial modifications with advances in antiretroviral therapy. There has been a sharp decline in morbi-mortality levels of HIV-infected patients, which has resulted in higher survival rates. The HIV seropositive population is living longer and more exposed to chronic complications caused by the disease itself and the prolonged use of antiretrovirals. Initially, metabolic alterations were reported, increasing cardiovascular disease risk. Subsequently, damage on bone metabolism was related. Vitamin D insufficiency has now […]

There is a high prevalence of osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients. Initially described in HIV-positive men, studies have also demonstrated a high prevalence of osteoporosis in HIV-infected women. It would appear that antiretroviral therapy (ART) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of osteoporosis in HIV-infected patients, although little is known about its importance in relation to osteoporosis and fractures in HIV-positive women. The aim of this systematic review was to evaluate the frequency of bone loss, bone mineral density (BMD) […]

Gonadotrophic axis dysfunction is commonly observed in HIV-infected patients. The pathogenesis is multifactorial and related to duration of HIV infection, direct cytopathic effects of viruses, use of drugs, opportunistic infections, malignancies, and malnutrition, among other factors. In men, reduced levels of testosterone is associated with loss of muscle mass and strength, decreased bone mineral density, lipodystrophy, depression, asthenia, fatigue and sexual dysfunction. In HIV-infected patients with hypogonadism, numerous studies have shown the beneficial effects of testosterone replacement on the metabolic […]

To review and synthesize the available scientific evidence on the relationship between dietary intake and dyslipidemias in HIV-infected patients in combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). A systematic review of literature was carried out. Original and published studies were investigated and two categories of dietary exposure were considered: energy and nutrient intake, and consumption of a test diet. A narrative review of included studies was conducted. The findings were summarized according to category of metabolic outcomes (effect on total cholesterol and LDL-c, […]