Intestinal absorption and malnutrition in patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS)

The relation of small intestinal dysfunction and malnutrition (body composition and serum index parameters of nutrition) was investigated in 36 male patients with AIDS. Mucosal absorptive capacity was assessed by the 25 g D-xylose test. D-xylose absorption (2 h - serum profile and 5 h - urine) classified 17 patients as having impaired and 19 patients as having normal absorption. In both groups body weight, body mass index as well as body composition analysis indicated malnutrition when compared to healthy male controls (n = 340) or asymptomatic HIV-infected patients (n = 26). Patients with abnormal D-xylose test had more severe malnutrition indicated by a lower body cell mass (17.7 +/- 5.4 vs. 22.5 +/- 4.5 kg; p < 0.01) and an increased ratio of extracellular mass to body cell mass (1.99 +/- 0.82 vs. 1.45 +/- 0.46 p < 0.01). Total serum protein, albumin, cholinesterase activity, cholesterol and LDL were significantly diminished in AIDS-patients with abnormal D-xylose test compared to those with normal D-xylose absorption. Intestinal dysfunction indicated by decreased D-xylose Intestinal dysfunction indicated by decreased D-xylose absorption thus represents an important feature of malnutrition and wasting, and patients with abnormal D-xylose absorption have more profound impairment of body composition, visceral proteins and lipids reflecting malnutrition than patients with unaffected intestinal absorption.