Retinol–vitamin A in HIV-infected patients who are former intravenous drug users

The objectives of this study were to assess the retinol concentration in the serum of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)–positive patients, all former injection drug users (IDUs), and to evaluate the prognostic value of vitamin A status in relation to this patient group. Observations were carried out in the group of 75 patients, both male and female, who were divided into a control group consisting of 22 HIV(-) patients and a study group consisting of 53 HIV(+) patients without clinical symptoms of AIDS. HIV(+) patients underwent a 1-year observation period, which a consisted of filling out a history questionnaire and undergoing physical examination, standard laboratory tests, lymphocyte CD4+ count, HIV RNA level, retinol concentration, and retinol binding protein concentration (RBP) every 3–4 months. No statistically significant differences in retinol (vitamin A) or RBP concentrations were found between HIV(+) patients and the control group. In all, 23.2% of the former IDUs HIV(+) patients had vitamin A concentrations below the normal range. No significant differences in retinol or RBC concentrations were found in the subgroups based on CD4+ counts compared with controls, or in patients with or without liver disease. Retinol concentrations were lower in HIV(+) women than in HIV(+) men. These results negate the importance of retinol concentration determination as a marker of immunity impairment in the group of HIV(+) former injection drug users, without clinical symptoms of AIDS. However, retinol assessment in HIV-infected patients can be useful in evaluation deficiency as well as in guiding vitamin A supplementation, particulary among women who are former drug users. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]