Nutrition and inflammation serum biomarkers are associated with 12-week mortality among malnourished adults initiating antiretroviral therapy in Zambia

2011

Nutrition and Inflammation Biomarkers Linked to Early Mortality in Malnourished HIV Patients

Sample size: 142 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Koethe John R, Blevins Meridith, Nyirenda Christopher, Kabagambe Edmond K, Shepherd Bryan E, Wester C William, Zulu Isaac, Chiasera Janelle M, Mulenga Lloyd B, Mwango Albert, Heimburger Douglas C

Primary Institution: Centre for Infectious Diseases Research in Zambia

Hypothesis

The study investigates the relationship between nutrition and inflammation-related serum biomarkers and early mortality in malnourished adults starting antiretroviral therapy.

Conclusion

Serum biomarkers for nutrition and inflammation were associated with early mortality, primarily driven by pre-treatment values rather than changes after starting treatment.

Supporting Evidence

Lower baseline phosphate and albumin levels were linked to higher mortality.
Higher ferritin and hsCRP levels were also associated with increased mortality.
The median time to death was 34 days, with 40% of deaths occurring within four weeks of starting ART.

Takeaway

This study found that certain blood tests can help predict if malnourished people with HIV will survive after starting treatment.

Methodology

An observational cohort study followed 142 malnourished HIV-infected adults for 12 weeks after starting ART, measuring serum levels of various biomarkers.