Higher pre-infection vitamin E levels are associated with higher mortality in HIV-1-infected Kenyan women: a prospective study

2007

Vitamin E Levels and Mortality in HIV-1-Infected Women

Sample size: 67 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Graham Susan M, Baeten Jared M, Richardson Barbra A, Bankson Daniel D, Lavreys Ludo, Ndinya-Achola Jeckoniah O, Mandaliya Kishorchandra, Overbaugh Julie, McClelland R Scott

Primary Institution: University of Washington

Hypothesis

Vitamin E levels at HIV-1 acquisition may influence disease progression.

Conclusion

Higher pre-infection vitamin E levels were associated with increased mortality.

Supporting Evidence

Each 1 mg/L increase in pre-infection vitamin E was associated with a 1.58-fold higher risk of mortality.
The median pre-infection vitamin E level was in the low-normal range (7.5 mg/L).
The prevalence of vitamin E deficiency (<5 mg/L) was 21% among participants.

Takeaway

Women with higher vitamin E levels before getting HIV were more likely to die from the disease.

Methodology

Vitamin E status was measured in stored samples from the last pre-infection visit for 67 Kenyan women, and regression analyses were used to estimate associations.