Effects of HIV infection on body composition changes among men of different racial/ethnic origins

Abstract

Purpose: To compare racial/ethnic differences and effects of HIV on body composition among antiretroviral (ART)-naïve HIV seropositive (HIV+) men to a representative sample of HIV seronegative (HIV-) men. We hypothesized that the effect of HIV infection will be uniform across all racial/ethnic groups. Method: A cross-sectional analysis was performed comparing HIV- (NHANES 1999-2002) and ART-naïve HIV+ men (CPCRA 061). Regional subcutaneous fat area was estimated by skinfold caliper. Total body fat (TBF), fat-free mass (FFM), and body fat index (BFI) were derived by Durnin-Womersley formula (TBF-DW, FFM-DW, BFI [TBF-DW/height2]). Bioelectric impedance analyses (BIA) was used to assess TBF-BIA, FFM-BIA, and body cell mass (BCM). Multivariate regression modeling adjusted for age, smoking, and hepatitis C for each measurement was performed. Results: HIV+ men (n = 321) were older and more likely to be smokers than HIV- men (n = 1,996). The HIV-men were heavier in weight (+17.8 kg, p < .001), BCM (+2.4 kg, p = .02), FFM (+5.9 kg, p < .001), TBF-DW (+5.95 kg, p < .001), and regional fat mass than the HIV+ men. In the multivariate model, there were significant percentage differences between HIV-and HIV+ African American men for all body composition measurements (weight +15.3%; BMI +14.5%; BCM +5.2%; TBF-DW +15%; BFI 13.9%; FFM-DW 7.9%) and all circumference and skinfold measurements; all ps