Symptom Management of HIV-Related Diarrhea by Using Normal Foods: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The purpose of this randomized clinical trial was to determine the efficacy of a dietary intervention to reduce the frequency of bowel movements and improve stool consistency as compared with subjects assigned to a control group. The study enrolled HIV patients with a history of three or more episodes of diarrhea for 3 weeks or more. Seventy-five subjects were enrolled, of which 38 were randomized to the treatment group and 37 to the control group. Six study sessions were scheduled over a 24-week period. At 24 weeks, the stool frequency reduced 28% in the treatment group and 15% in the control group (F = 9.22, p < .001) and stool consistency improved 20% in the treatment group and 8% in the control group (F = 9.98, p < .001). The results showed that the intervention was effective in reducing stool frequency and improving stool consistency in HIV patients with chronic diarrhea for up to 6 months of treatment.

Key words:  HIV , diarrhea , symptom management , clinical trial , nutrition intervention