Effect of zinc on immune recovery in HIV patients. Medellín 2013. Randomized controlled trial
Visión General
Visión General
Abstracto
Introduction : The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection progressi - vely destroys the immune system and increases the susceptibility to oppor - tunistic infections. The aim of this study was to assess the benefits and safety of zinc supplements at nutritional doses. Methods : A randomized, double-blind, placebo control trial was performed in 40 adult patients that received either zinc sulfate or placebo daily during 12 weeks. The CD4 lym - phocytes count was evaluated at the beginning and at the end of the inter - vention. Furthermore, we evaluated different clinical and epidemiological variables. Results : After the intervention, an increase ≥ 20% in CD4 lym - phocytes was compared between groups; better response was observed in patients who received zinc (90% vs. 25%, p = 0.00), RR = 3.6 (95% CI 1.66; 7.8, p = 0.000) and reduction of relative risk of 74% compared to placebo. Conclusion : This clinical trial shows that patients who receive zinc sulfate supplement could increase the CD4 lymphocyte counting.
