Perception of quality of life of persons with HIV/AIDS and maintenance of nutritional parameters while on protease inhibitors

This descriptive study investigated quality of life issues, biochemical indices, and nutritional parameters of individuals with HIV/AIDS before the initiation of protease inhibitors (PI) and after PI therapy. Telephone interviews were conducted with 45 men and women who were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. A 26-item subjective questionnaire was used to determine intake of liquid nutritional supplements, use of micronutrient and herb supplements, adherence to modified diets, gastrointestinal symptoms, employment status, sociability, and ability to conduct activities of daily living. A medical chart review was conducted to collect data on biochemical indices, weight, medication regimens, and incidence of opportunistic infections. The results of the study suggest that HIV/AIDS individuals gain weight, improve CD4 counts, and decrease HIV RNA viral load while on PI-based drug combination therapy. Opportunistic infections decreased, quality of life was improved, and blood albumin was elevated. Hyperlipidemia, that is, elevations in total cholesterol and triglycerides, was observed in study participants (44% and 40% of patients, respectively) after PI therapy. These findings support the need for future investigations to examine the long-term influence of PI-based combination drug therapies on nutrient intake, body composition, and quality of life of persons with HIV/AIDS.