Weight Loss Is Linked to CD4 Counts

HIV-related weight loss is linked to decreasing CD4-cell counts'not to HIV viral levels'in adults taking antiretroviral drugs, according to the U.S. Nutrition for Healthy Living Study. Data from the study published in the January 1 issue of Clinical Infectious Diseases show that for HIV-positive adults on a successful and stable antiretroviral regimen, changes in CD4-cell counts are associated with changes in weight. Researchers report that a CD4-cell-count drop of 100 was linked with an average weight loss of 0.35 kilogram'slightly less than one pound. The link between CD4-cell levels and weight loss suggests that controlling viral load is not enough to prevent weight changes in HIV-positive adults taking anti-HIV drugs, the researchers conclude. Changing anti-HIV drugs to a regimen that both controls viral replication and leads to CD4-cell rebounds could help avoid the onset of HIV-related wasting or lead to a regaining of lost weight, they say.