HIV
Research
Diet &
Lifestyle
Nutrients
& HIV
Scientists at Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and
Public Health investigated the possible effects of certain nutrients on the progression of
acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in patients who diagnosed as being HIV positive
(virus type 1). A total of 281 HIV-1 seropositive homosexual/bisexual men were seen
semi-annually since 1984 at the Baltimore/Washington, DC site of the Multicenter AIDS
Cohort Study. All of the participants completed a self-administered semi-quantitative food
frequency questionnaire and their levels of daily micronutrient intake were examined in
relation to subsequent progression to AIDS (1987 Centers for Disease Control definition)
during a median follow-up period of 6.8 years. For each nutrient, the authors used a Cox
proportional hazards model to adjust for age, presence of symptoms, CD4+ lymphocyte count,
energy intake, use of antiretrovirals, and use of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia
prophylaxis.
The study showed that the highest levels of total intake
(from food and supplements) of vitamins C and B1 and niacin were associated with a
significantly decreased progression rate to AIDS. However, the relationship between total
vitamin A intake and progression to AIDS appeared to be U-shaped; those who took the
lowest and highest levels did most poorly, while the middle two quartiles of the group
were associated with significantly slower progression to AIDS . Increased intake of zinc
was monotonically and significantly associated with an increased risk of progression to
AIDS.
Tang AM; Graham NM; Kirby AJ; McCall LD; Willett WC; Saah
AJ Dietary micronutrient intake and risk of progression to acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS) in human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1)-infected homosexual men.
Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, School of Hygiene and Public Health,
Baltimore, MD 21205. Am J Epidemiol (UNITED STATES) Dec 1 1993, 138 (11) p937-51
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Stress
management
& HIV
Researchers at the Department of Psychology, University of Miami,
Florida recently investigated the role of stress management programmes for
HIV-positive male patients whose disease had progressed to a symptomatic
stage. The participants were randomly assigned to one of two groups - a
control group and a treatment group which involved cognitive-behavioural
stress management (CBSM).
Over a ten week period the data revealed
that the stress management programme significantly decreased self-reported
dysphoria, anxiety and total distress. The patients who practised
relaxation had consistently greater improvement in their symptoms. Whilst
no-one in the control group showed any improvement in their condition,
both the herpes simplex virus (Type 2) and immunoglobulin G antibodiies
showed a decrease in the treatment group.
The report concluded that stress management
programme involving cognitive-behavioural stress management techniques
produced beneficial responses relating to mood and immune function in HIV
seropositive men.
Lutgendorf SK et al. Cognitive-behavioural
stress management decreases dysphoric mood and herpes simplex virus type -
2 antibody titers in symptomatic HIV-seropositive gay men. J Consult Clin
Psych: 65(1) Feb 1997 31-43
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Depression
& HIV
It is well known
that our moods affect and are affected by our physical health. However
researchers in Switzerland have demonstrated that the relationship between
our mental and physical health is more significant than many authorities
have acknowledged.
The researchers set up at simple study
monitoring the subjective well-being of HIV patients and the status of
their immune system. 21 HIV infected people completed questionnaires and
their immune systems were analysed at the beginning of the study and again
after 8 and 15 months.
The results showed a clear correlation
between those patients who showed depressive feelings and subsequent
deteriorated immune systems.
Brauchi P, Zeier H. Depressive affect
and surrogate markers in HIV infected patients.
Psychother Psychosom Med Psychol Jan 1997 47(1):34-40.
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