Self-Reported Weight Loss and Poor Nutrient Intake are Common in Patients with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus in an Urban Early Intervention Primary Care Clinic

Abstract

LEARNING OUTCOME: To identify potential risk factors for nutritional compromise in patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) in this early intervention primary care clinic. Study Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Methods: A self-administered nutritional survey inquiring about weight history, nutrition-related symptoms, eating habits, financial resources for food, and interest in nutrition education was administered from October, 1996-December, 1996. A convenience sample of 66 patients were offered the survey. Fifty-two surveys were completed and returned. Results: Weight history : Twenty-seven percent of respondents lost weight since testing positive, 29% gained weight, and 44% reported no change in weight. Nutrition-related symptoms : Sixty-two percent (32/52)of respondents had at least one nutrition-related symptom, with diarrhea and poor appetite being most common, each reported in 1/5 of patients. Nausea, oral problems, and constipation were also reported. Eating habits : When asked the number of meals eaten per day (moderate to large amount of food), 65% of respondents eat zero meals per day and 2% eat one. The remaining 33% of respondents eat 2-3 meals per day. When asked how many snacks (small quantity of food) eaten per day, of those respondents eating 0-1 meal per day, 9/34 (26%) eat 0-1 snack per day; 15/34 (44%) eat 2-3 snacks per day, and the remaining 10/34 (29%) eat ≥4 snacks per day. Financial resources for food : Forty percent of patients are getting food assistance from meal programs, food stamps, friends or family. Forty percent of patients do not have the resources to buy adequate foods. Interest in nutrition education : Seventy-one percent of patients were interested in learning more about nutrition. Conclusions: In this series of patients, weight loss, which is generally undesirable in HIV disease, was commonly reported. Infrequency of eating in the majority of patients is suggestive of inadequate nutrient intake, placing patients at risk for macro and micronutrient deficiencies. Nutrition-related symptoms and financial constraints are common, possibly leading to poor nutrient intake. Patients are interested in more nutrition education. Implications: This pilot study demonstrates the need to further investigate the incidence and cause of undesirable weight loss and poor nutrient intake in early intervention HIV positive patients.