Alcohol Use and Zinc Status in HIV+ Adults in Miami, Florida

Abstract

Objective:Zinc (Zn) deficiency is the most common nutrient deficiency in HIV, and is not reversed with ART. Zn deficiency affects the immune system and may be aggravated by excessive alcohol use. We examined the effect of alcohol consumption on plasma and dietary Zn, and its association with disease progression in HIV+ adults.Methods:After consenting, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) score 蠅8 was used to identify excessive alcohol intake among 274 HIV+ adults. Nutrient intake was estimated with two 24‐hour dietary recalls; blood was drawn for plasma Zn levels, and parameters of HIV disease progression were obtained from medical charts.Results:Mean age was 45.9±7.8, 64% were male, 69% were Black, 43% had excessive alcohol drinking, 65% were Zn deficient, 40% used multivitamins with 15 mg Zn/day. CD4 cell count was lower in excessive alcohol drinkers compared to non‐drinkers or moderate drinkers (374.8±54.1 vs. 459.2±62.6 cells/mm3, P=0.029). CD4 cell count and viral load were better in non‐drinkers and moderate drinkers (β=0.2, SE=1.7, P=0.03 and β=‐0.18, SE=0.22, P=0.049, respectively) than in excessive drinkers. There was no relationship between excessive drinking and Zn deficiency. Excessive drinking was correlated with tobacco (r=0.24, P<0.001) and illicit drug use (r=0.25, P<0.001). Zn intake was correlated with energy (r=0.491, P<0.001) and protein (r=0.718, P<0.001) intake, but not with plasma levels of Zn.ConclusionModerate or no alcohol consumption is associated with better measures of HIV disease progression than excessive drinking, but is not associated with Zn deficiency.Funded by NIDA & NIAAA