Virologic, immunologic, and immune activation markers as predictors of HIV-associated weight loss prior to AIDS

Robert H. Lyles, Alice M. Tang, Ellen Smit, John W. Mellors, Joseph B. Margolick, Barbara R. Visscher, John P. Phair, Neil M.H. Graham, Judy Konig

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objectives: To study weight patterns among HIV-positive men and associations of baseline HIV RNA, CD4+ lymphocyte count, and serum levels of neopterin and β2-microglobulin with subsequent weight loss prior to AIDS. Methods: A cohort of 1558 homosexual men from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study comprised the main study population. Marker values obtained using samples from a baseline visit in 1984 to 1985 were associated with weight patterns and risk of weight loss events over 10 years of follow-up. To investigate the impact of protease inhibitor (PI) therapy on weight patterns, a separate analysis was conducted for men who initiated such therapy in 1995 to 1996. Results: In general, HIV-positive men demonstrated a striking tendency toward weight loss, with a rate of decline that increased over time. Distinct variations in this pattern were observed according to baseline HIV RNA levels. Each marker considered was independently predictive of weight loss events. Following use of PIs, 68 men showed a tendency toward increased weight, compared with men who did not use PIs. Conclusions: Although baseline virologic, immunologic, and immune activation markers all predicted weight loss events in AIDS-free HIV-positive men, HIV RNA displayed the best discrimination. Shifts in weight patterns observed in this cohort after PI therapy call for further attention to nutritional and body changes as the duration of therapy increases.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)386-394
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes and Human Retrovirology
Volume22
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 1 1999

Keywords

  • HIV wasting
  • Immunosuppression
  • Protease inhibitors
  • Viremia

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Virology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Virologic, immunologic, and immune activation markers as predictors of HIV-associated weight loss prior to AIDS'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this