ABSTRACT
A patient with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) who required aggressive nutritional intervention via home parenteral nutrition therapy is described, and nutritional status, etiology and therapeutic management of AIDS-associated malnutrition, role of nutrition support, and factors for consideration in using parenteral nutrition in AIDS patients are discussed. Parenteral nutrition therapy was initiated in a 30-year-old AIDS patient with Kaposi's sarcoma lesions of the gastrointestinal tract because of rapid weight loss, low serum protein levels, and malnutrition. He had previously undergone a small-bowel resection and a jejunojejunostomy, and radiation and antineoplastic-drug therapy was planned. During parenteral nutrition therapy, the patient demonstrated increased physical strength and was able to care for himself during most of the time spent at home or in a long-term-care facility. Aggressive measures, including parenteral nutrition therapy, were discontinued 11 days before the patient's death. Complications of therapy included one episode of sepsis and a tear in the external catheter tubing. Malabsorption and diarrhea mainly caused by gastrointestinal disease, reduced food intake because of oral and esophageal infections, adverse effects from medication, and depression are factors that can contribute to AIDS-associated malnutrition. Also, hypermetabolism resulting from infections and fevers may contribute to malnutrition in AIDS. The extent to which this malnutrition affects the underlying immune dysfunction occurring in the syndrome and the response to other more direct drug therapies in AIDS is not known. Available methods for nutritional intervention are based on clinical experience and anecdotal reports. Because of gastrointestinal disease, an oral diet, supplements, and enteral tube feedings may not meet nutritional goals for an AIDS patient.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)