Nutritional status, morphological and biochemical blood parameters in HIV-positive adults from northern Poland

Since the onset of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, nutrition has been considered an important factor in the course of infection. The study enrolled 150 HIV-positive adults (21-58 years) and 150 control group adults from Gdansk and Bialystok, within the same age, sex and education. Dietary intake was assessed together with hematological and biochemical parameters. HIV-positive adults had a 5-33% lower intake of 15 nutrients. The most significantly different from the control (P < 0.05) were vitamins B and folic acid, vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, zinc, and copper. When considering the percentage of the Estimated Average Requirement (% of the EAR), the most severe nutritional deficiencies were found for folic acid, vitamin D and calcium (< 52% of EAR). When taking into account the level of total intake (diet plus supplements) a severe deficiency remained only for calcium and vitamin D, with 47-58% of the EAR. In contrast, a higher intake of 15 nutrients has been reported in HIV-positive adults as compared to the control group, with the most significant increase of the daily intake for vitamins B (B-1, B-3, B-12, folic acid), vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, sodium, iron, and copper (22-120%). The differences observed in the increased intake between the groups correlated with higher daily diet supplementation by HIV-positive participants (P < 0.041). Interestingly, the supply of vitamin D, vitamin B-6 and vitamin E was increased in 41 immunocompromised participants (27.3%) with white blood cell (WBC) counts below 4.3 . 10(3) mu L-1, by: 23.5%, 10.1% and 6.6%, respectively (P < 0.05). In contrast, the supply of folic acid (20.8%), iron (14.2%), vitamin B-12 (12.4%), copper (8.1%) and vitamin C (7.1%) was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Higher CD4(+)T cells count >= 400 cells mu L-1 was observed in women compared to men (P < 0.05). The total cholesterol level was significantly decreased in WBC counts below 4.3 . 10(3) mu L-1 (167.6 +/- 33.98 vs. 193.2 +/- 48.59 mg dL(-1), P < 0.020) as compared to high WBC counts. Targeted nutritional intervention may improve the nutritional intake and biochemical status of HIV-positive adults.