Treating malnutrition in AIDS: comparison of dietitians' practices and nutrition care guidelines

The acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a complex disease; its manifestations include many opportunistic infections that lead to conditions causing severe malnutrition. Overcoming malnutrition can help AIDS patients increase their weight, improve their self-image, and enhance the quality of their lives. Thirty-eight dietitians who work with AIDS patients in New York City were surveyed to determine whether their facilities followed 40 suggested guidelines for the assessment and treatment of malnutrition in AIDS. Thirty dietitians (80%) reported that their facilities followed more than half of the suggested guidelines. Many guidelines were "always" followed by a majority of facilities. Those not followed might provide a focus for dialogue among practitioners with regard to nutrition care procedures. Thirty-two (84%) dietitians reported receiving AIDS education, including in-service programs (n = 18), professional meetings (n = 27), and formal education (n = 3). AIDS education in both undergraduate and graduate curriculums and additional continuing education programs are needed. Persons with AIDS are at high risk for nutrition-related disorders. Practitioners need to know and apply nutrition care guidelines suggested in the literature to improve the quality of care for this growing population.