Malnutrition associated with HIV/AIDS. Part One: Definition and scope, epidemiology, and pathophysiology.

A documented association exists between nutritional status and immunologic function, development, and outcome of infectious processes, and treatment-related toxicity and vital organ function. In persons with AIDS, nutritional deficits precipitate a cycle that results in a downward spiral of weight lost, malabsorption, diarrhea, anorexia, body image disturbance, and increased risk for morbidity and mortality. This article presents an overview of the malnutrition in HIV/AIDS patients. It critiques the current Centers for Disease Control's definitions of wasting syndrome, describes the incidence of weight loss, delineates the implications of untreated malnutrition, and traces the etiology of weight loss and contributing factors. This article serves as an introduction to HIV/AIDS related malnutrition. A subsequent article will review nursing implications and clinical management programs.