Reuters Health Information Services (06/08/99)
AIDS-related wasting syndrome remains a serious problem for
patients with the disease. A report in the June 3rd Issue of
the New England Journal of Medicine outlines a good approach
to the syndrome. Physicians managing patients with AIDS-
related wasting should conduct a nutritional evaluation; apply
specific nutritional supplements when required; limit use of
appetite stimulating drugs to patients with weight loss
associated with low food intake; check for underlying
opportunistic infections, cancer, gastrointestinal disease,
and hypogonadism; and use high-dose growth hormones with
caution. Researchers note that combination therapies, such as
testosterone supplements with exercise, are often most
beneficial.