Malnutrition associated with HIV/AIDS. Part Two: Assessment and interventions

The role of nutrition in pediatric HIV/AIDS: a review of micronutrient research

It is becoming increasingly evident that nutrition is not only an important component of health but also that levels of specific nutrients can affect disease expression. This is particularly apparent in the realm of HIV disease. Despite this knowledge, research in this area, especially pertaining to the pediatric population, has been limited. This report presents a narrative review and critique of the work that has been conducted in the area of micronutrients including descriptive, correlational, and intervention studies. Gaps in knowledge, recommendations for future research, and nursing implications are highlighted. Current information suggests a role for micronutrients in the treatment of HIV disease, and further research will help develop these adjunct therapies that can affect the overall outcomes and quality of life of these patients.

Nutritional status, symptoms experienced and general state of health in HIV-infected patients

The aim of the study was to describe HIV-infected patients with respect to nutritional status, symptoms experienced, general state of health, and relevant medical and laboratory data. An additional aim was to study the relationships between some of these variables. On admission to an acute care hospital in Sweden, 25 HIV-positive men were consecutively included in the study. Medical data, anthropometric variables such as weight, height, body mass index (BMI) and percentage weight loss were studied. The following instruments were used: the subjective global assessment (SGA) was used to determine nutritional status; the oral assessment guide (OAG) was used for subjective assessment of the oral cavity; and the numeric rating scale (NRS) was used to assess the symptoms experienced. The Health Index (HI) was used to evaluate general state of health. The results showed that more than half of the patients had suspected/severe malnutrition; between 48% and 72% complained of moderate to severe symptoms of various kinds. Two thirds felt their general state of health was rather poor or very poor. Correlations showed that the lower the BMI, the worse the nutritional status (SGA); the greater the weight loss in percent, the worse the nutritional status (SGA); and the worse the general state of health (HI), the worse the nutritional status (SGA). In conclusion, it is important that nurses have good knowledge concerning nutritional problems in order to be able to detect these conditions at an early stage and/or to endeavour to prevent them.

Nutritional screening and assessment

OBJECTIVES

To review the components of nutritional screening, screening measures and tools, and the nurses' role in nutritional assessment.

DATA SOURCES

Research studies, review articles, and book chapters.

CONCLUSIONS

Timely and appropriate nutritional interventions require the adoption of routine initial nutritional screening, referral for comprehensive nutritional assessments as needed, and continued re-screening.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

Oncology nurses should be prepared to contribute to a comprehensive nutritional assessment in their role as patient advocate and expert clinician.

Quality of life and self-care management strategies of PLWAs with chronic diarrhea

A case control design was used to examine quality of life and self-care management strategies in persons living with AIDS (PLWAs) with chronic diarrhea. PLWAs without chronic diarrhea (n = 20) as compared to those with chronic diarrhea (n = 20) reported significantly higher general health perceptions (p = .028). In contrast, comparisons on symptom status scores revealed that PLWAs without chronic diarrhea reported greater fatigue (p = .05), greater psychological distress (p = .005), and greater gastrointestinal discomfort (p = .01). Although the intensity of chronic diarrhea was reported as moderate to severe by 85% of the sample, no single category of self-care management strategies was used by more than 65% of respondents. The number of categories of self-care management activities was significantly correlated with general health perceptions. The study findings support the need to test nursing interventions aimed at improving symptom management in chronic diarrhea and facilitating self-care behaviors including those focused on increasing adherence to prescribed therapeutic regimens.