The Impact of 6-month Micronutrient Supplementation on Viral, Immunological, and Mental Health Profile of a Cohort of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy-Naive HIV-Positive Patients in Northern Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

HIV is a chronic disease with inflammatory reactions involving numerous elements of the immune system, resulting in an increased risk for other physical and psychiatric morbidities. Micronutrients, some of which possess anti-inflammatory properties, may help prevent the development of psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression in people living with HIV disease.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the profile of viral load, CD4 cell count, C-reactive protein, anxiety, and depression among highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART)-naive HIV-positive patients receiving micronutrient supplementation over a 6-month period.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A total of ninety HAART-naïve HIV-infected patients completed the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. Their blood samples were taken for serum viral load, CD4 cell count, and C-reactive protein at baseline. They all received a micronutrient supplement for 6 months, and 68 participants who remained in treatment at 6 months were reassessed with the same parameters.

RESULTS

After 6 months of micronutrient supplementation, the participants were found to have statistically significantly lower mean scores on the anxiety (-test = 2.970, = 0.003) and depression (-test = 3.843, = 0.001) subscales. They also had statistically significantly lower median CD4 cell count ( = 0.00) and C-reactive protein serum measures ( = 0.04). The median viral load decreased although the difference was not statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

Micronutrient supplementation may reduce inflammatory reactions, anxiety, and depression in HAART-naive HIV-infected persons.