Anthropometric measures as indicators of the nutritional status of people living with HIV

Abstract

Several studies have noted the increased survival time of people living with HIV (PLH) after the use of anti retroviral therapy. However, impacts on nutritional status (NS) have not been reported. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between anthropometric measures as indicators of the NS of PLH. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 35 PLH receiving care at a Brazilian public services pecialized in HIV/AIDS (2017-2018) was recruited byconvenience. Data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. Theanthropometric variables measured were: Weight, height, body mass index (BMI), triceps skin fold (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), mid-arm muscle circunference(MAMC), waist circunference (WC) and neck circumference(NC). According to BMI, 48.6% (n= 17) of patients wereeutrophic, using criteria based on TSF, MAC and MAM Cresulted in 57.1% (n= 20), 48.6 (n= 17) and 48.6%(n= 17)being classified as underweight, respectively. Prevalence of WC-defined central obesity and NC defined central obesitywere 42.9% and 37.1%, respectively. Significant correlations were found between BMI and: TSF (r=0.587; p<0.001);MAC (r= 0.885; p<0.001); MAMC (r= -0.690; p<0.001);WC (r= 0.840; p<0.001); NC (r= 0.535; p<0.001). Different NS classifications were attributed by the anthropometricparameters employed, however, due to the complexity ofthe metabolic factors present in PLH, the combined use of predictors of NS and cardiometabolic risk in clinical practiceshould be emphasized.