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Repeated assessments of food security predict CD4 change in the setting of antiretroviral therapy.

McMahon JH, Wanke CA, Elliott JH, Skinner S, Tang AM

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  • Journal Journal of acquired immune deficiency syndromes (1999)

  • Published 02 Nov 2011

  • Volume 58

  • ISSUE 1

  • Pagination 60-3

  • DOI 10.1097/QAI.0b013e318227f8dd

Abstract

Food insecurity is highly prevalent in HIV-infected populations, and analyses utilizing multiple assessments of food security to predict CD4 change are lacking. Five hundred Ninety-two patients with ≥ 4 food security assessments were followed prospectively. In the final model, for patients using antiretroviral therapy, increases in CD4 counts were on average 99.5 cells less for individuals with at least 1 episode of food insecurity compared with those consistently food secure (P < 0.001). Other sociodemographic factors were not predictive. Repeated assessments of food security are potent predictors of treatment response notwithstanding antiretroviral therapy use. Potential mechanisms for this association are proposed.