The role of nutritional support of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected patients on antiretroviral treatment

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
HIV infection can make it difficult for the body to absorb nutrients properly and the diet of a HIV patient with poor access to food will often be grossly inadequate. It is likely that the weight loss during disease is largely due to loss of lean body mass (muscle and organ tissues), but weight gain during recovery and after initiation of medical HIV treatment (ART) is mainly due to accumulation of fat. This is likely to have a negative impact on the health and survival of the HIV infected patient, particularly when quality of the diet is poor. It is possible that milk components as part of nutritional support could improve weight gain, growth, and recovery from malnutrition, but this needs to be confirmed. However, it is not clear whether nutritional support would work best and be safest when given from the beginning of ART, or whether it should be delayed until the acute stage of the infection and the side effects accompanying initiation of ART (such as anorexia and reduced absorption of nutrients) have declined. The aim of this study is to look at the effect of a whey-containing nutritional supplement on adult HIV patients starting ART in Jimma, Ethiopia. The protein source in the supplement will be either whey or soy. All participants will receive a peanut-based food supplement covering half of their daily energy need for three months. Since the optimal timing of nutritional support is unknown, patients who are not severely malnourished will receive the supplement either in the first three or the subsequent three months on ART.

Who can participate?
The study will be conducted among 350 HIV patients. Adults (≥18 years) initiating ART can participate in the study. Severely wasted individuals (body mass index<16 kg/m2) are excluded and referred for routine treatment for severe acute malnutrition at the hospital.

What does the study involve?
Patients are invited to take a peanut butter-based nutrient supplement daily for three months either during the first three or the subsequent three months upon initiation of ART. The supplement will have either whey or soy as the main protein source. Participants will be randomly selected to receive their 3 month supply of supplement either immediately, or after a three month delay. Each participant will be examined monthly during the first 6 months, followed by a final examination 12 months after starting ART. The supplement is distributed from the research clinic at each monthly visit. Quality of life will be assessed and compared between the treatment groups using a questionnaire tool developed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) adapted to local context. Body composition will be assessed at the beginning of the trial and after 3 and 6 months. Grip strength will be measured, and physical activity will be assessed using the ActiHeart, a small combined accelerometer and heart rate monitor. Finally, blood samples will be taken from participants.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
All patients will benefit from three months of daily supplementation with a high energy dietary supplement with high quality proteins of different origin. There are no known risks of the supplement. As the patients have HIV, they are already at high risk of disease and death, but the supplements are not expected to increase these risks.

Where is the study run from?
Jimma University Hospital, Ethiopia.

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
Recruitment began in July 2010 and ended in August 2012. Each participant is in the study for 12 months. The last 12-month follow-up visit will be conducted in August 2013.

Who is funding the study?
US Dairy export council (USDEC) and Danish International Development Agency (DANIDA)

Who is the main contact?
Dr Pernille Kæstel
pern@life.ku.dk

Contact information

Study information

Eligibility

Locations

Countries of recruitment

• Denmark
• Ethiopia

Study participating centre

Sponsor information

University of Copenhagen (Denmark)
University/education

Department of Human Nutrition
Rolighedsvej 30
Frederiksberg
1958
Denmark

Email	hfr@life.ku.dk
Website	http://www.ku.dk/english/
"ROR"	https://ror.org/035b05819

Funders

Funder type

Government

Results and Publications

Study outputs