Protein intake is associated with HIV disease progression in HIV‐infected patients (810.9)

Abstract

Background: This longitudinal study examines the effect of protein intake on markers of HIV disease progression. Methods: In a secondary analysis of data from 267 HIV+ patients on ART over a period of 6 months, we estimated protein intake from 24‐hour recalls and obtained CD4 cell counts and viral load from medical records. Multiple Linear Regressions and Mixed Models were used for over time analyses. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Results: Participants mean age was 49±5 years, 62% were male and 71.3% were African Americans. Mean protein intake was 111±87 g/day (1.8 times the RDA for age and gender), mean CD4 cell count was 516.7±342 cells/μL and viral load 2.5±1.5 log10. Protein intake (g/day) was associated with decreased CD4 cell counts (β=‐0.68, p=0.05) and increased viral loads (β=51.27, p<0.01) over time. This adverse relationship remained significant (β=44.4, p<0.01), after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion: The results suggest a detrimental relationship of excessive protein consumption with disease progression over time in HIV‐infected patients on ART. Grant Funding Source: NIDA