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HIV-related cachexia: potential mechanisms and treatment
J H Von Roenn1, E L Roth, R Craig
1Department of Medicine, Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, Ill.
Oncology
|January 1, 1992
Summary
Severe weight loss in acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) is common. Megestrol acetate effectively treats HIV-related anorexia and cachexia, improving body cell mass and potentially survival.
Area of Science:
- Nutrition and Metabolism
- Immunology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Involuntary weight loss (cachexia) is a frequent complication of acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS).
- Malnutrition in AIDS can worsen immunocompetence and disease progression.
- Restoring body cell mass may improve survival in AIDS patients experiencing wasting.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of megestrol acetate in managing weight loss and cachexia associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
- To explore therapeutic options for HIV-related anorexia and cachexia.
Main Methods:
- Review of data on megestrol acetate use in patients with HIV-related cachexia.
- Assessment of megestrol acetate's impact on appetite and weight gain.
Main Results:
- Megestrol acetate, an orally active progestational agent, stimulates appetite and promotes weight gain.
- Data convincingly demonstrate megestrol acetate's effectiveness in treating many patients with HIV-related anorexia and cachexia.
Conclusions:
- Megestrol acetate is an effective treatment for anorexia and cachexia in HIV-infected individuals.
- The multifactorial causes of weight loss in AIDS, including decreased intake, malabsorption, and altered energy expenditure, present challenges.
- While enteral and parenteral nutrition are options, megestrol acetate offers a more accessible therapeutic approach.