Obesity and HIV: a compounding problem

  • Chara Biggs University of KwaZulu-Natal
  • Elizabeth Spooner University of KwaZulu-Natal
Keywords: HIV, ART-naive, obesity, albumin, C-reactive protein

Abstract

Objectives: A cross-sectional study was undertaken at Lancers Road Clinic, Durban, South Africa to determine body composition, haemoglobin, serum albumin and serum high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels in asymptomatic ART-naive HIV positive adults. Methods: All eligible adults attending the clinic were sampled. Body composition was assessed using deuterium dilution. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, chi-square test, Fisher’s exact test and Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient were used for data analysis.Results: A total of 84 participants (CD4 count: 542.5 ± 145 cell/mm3) enrolled. The mean body mass index (BMI) was 29.5 (± 6.4) kg/m2 and the mean fat mass percentage was 44.9 (± 18.7). The prevalence of overweight (26.2%, 22/84) and obesity (46.4%, 39/84) was high. Mean haemoglobin (Hb) levels were 12.0 ± 1.6 g/dl. Mild, moderate and severe anaemia was present in 21.4% (18/84), 20.2% (17/84) and 1.2% (1/84) of patients, respectively. Mean albumin levels (36.2 ± 3.8 g/l) were on the borderline low range of normal with mildly depleted albumin levels being present in a third (32.1%, 27/84) of patients. The mean hs-CRP levels (5.5 ± 7.2 mg/l) were high. Conclusion: In this cohort of patients, wasting was not associated with HIV as the prevalence of overweight/obesity was high and followed the population trend in SA. This seemingly well, asymptomatic population of people living with HIV was at an increased risk of morbidity, progression and death due to the compounding factors of overweight/obesity, hypoalbuminemia, raised hs-CRP levels and anaemia. (Full text available online at www.medpharm.tandfonline.com/ojcn) South Afr J Clin Nutr 2018; DOI: 10.1080/16070658.2017.1404299

Author Biographies

Chara Biggs, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Discipline of Dietetics and Human Nutrition, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Elizabeth Spooner, University of KwaZulu-Natal
Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
Published
2018-11-20
How to Cite
Biggs, C., & Spooner, E. (2018). Obesity and HIV: a compounding problem. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 31(4), 6-11. Retrieved from http://sajcn.redbricklibrary.com/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/1369
Section
Original Research