Micronutrient supplementation and highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV management: a systematic review

Erica Matluck

Date of Award

2011

Document Type

Thesis

College/School

College of Nursing

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Program Concentration

Family Nurse Practitioner

Abstract

"Background. Over 33 million people worldwide are infected with HIV. While disease progression is relatively well controlled with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) regimens, HIV symptoms and medication-related side effects burden the lives of those infected. Depletion of certain micronutrients has been associated with HIV-related ill health and micronutrient supplementation has shown clinical benefit in HIV-infected individuals not receiving HAART. As HAART becomes more accessible worldwide, health care providers need to understand the role of micronutrient supplementation in HIV management in conjunction with HAART. Objectives. The specific aims of this review are to determine whether the addition of micronutrient supplementation to HAART regimens reduces HAART-related symptoms and delays HIV progression, as well as identify the most beneficial micronutrients, and suggest areas for further research. Methods. The PubMed database was searched for randomized controlled trials published from 2001-2011. Study eligibility criteria included micronutrient supplementation as the primary intervention, and HAART-related symptoms and/or physiological markers of disease progression as the primary outcome. Results. Seven studies were reviewed. The micronutrient interventions showed variable effects on CD4 count, viral load, and HAART-related symptoms. Conclusions. While the data available suggest some clinical benefit from micronutrient supplementation in HIV patients receiving HAART, it is not strong enough to guide clinical decisions. The collective results are difficult to interpret due to inconsistencies"

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