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Factors associated with serum retinol, alpha-tocopherol, carotenoids, and selenium in Hispanics with problems of HIV, chronic hepatitis C, and drug use.

Authors :
Forrester JE
Wang XD
Knox TA
Borek CG
Tang AM
Johnson EJ
Source :
Journal of public health policy [J Public Health Policy] 2009 Sep; Vol. 30 (3), pp. 285-99.
Publication Year :
2009

Abstract

The effects of hepatitis and drug use on nutritional problems in HIV infection have rarely been examined despite the importance of drug use in the global HIV pandemic. We examined the effects of HIV, hepatitis C, and drug use on serum micronutrients in 300 US Hispanic adults. Chronic hepatitis C infection was associated with lower serum retinol (-8.2 microg/dl, P < 0.0001), alpha-tocopherol (-0.10 ln microg/dl, P = 0.024), and carotenoids (-19.8 microg/dl, P < 0.0001). HIV infection was associated with lower selenium (-6.1 microg/l, P = 0.028). Elevated triglycerides in HIV infection were associated with higher serum retinol and alpha-tocopherol. Drug use was not independently associated with micronutrient alterations. We conclude that hepatitis C is an important determinant of low serum micronutrients, and should be considered in any nutritional assessment of HIV infected populations. As the safety of micronutrient supplementation is not established, policy for appropriate HIV clinical care should distinguish between populations with and without hepatitis coinfection.

Details

Language :
English
ISSN :
0197-5897
Volume :
30
Issue :
3
Database :
MEDLINE
Journal :
Journal of public health policy
Publication Type :
Academic Journal
Accession number :
19806070
Full Text :
https://doi.org/10.1057/jphp.2009.20