A Randomized Clinical Trial to Evaluate the Effect of Diet on Quality of Life and Mood of People Living With HIV and Lipodystrophy

The purpose of this study in 2002 was to evaluate a diet intervention in relation to the quality of life and mood of people living with HIV and lipodystrophy. HIV-positive people on antiretroviral treatments are normalizing their lives and facing a long-term future. Morphological changes in some cases may occur as a result of antiretroviral therapy, causing HIV-positive people to hesitate commencing treatment. The study sample consisted of 30 men over 18 years of age living with HIV and lipodystrophy. An experimental design incorporating pretests and posttests of experimental and control groups was used. All participants were surveyed by questionnaire, and their quality of life and mood were measured at baseline and 10 weeks. Results indicated a trend toward significant improvement in quality of life, and although mood states were not significantly improved between the two groups, the control group showed deterioration in mood status, compared with the intervention group, that was concluded to be clinically significant. Hence, in the study setting, the diet intervention showed a positive effect on men living with HIV and lipodystrophy.

Key words: HIV, diet, randomized clinical trial, lipodystrophy