HIV Wasting Syndrome

Involuntary weight loss of greater than 10 percent associated with intermittent or constant fever and chronic diarrhea or fatigue for more than 30 days in the absence of a defined cause other than HIV infection. A constant feature is major muscle wasting with scattered myofiber degeneration. A variety of etiologies, which vary among patients, contributes to this syndrome. (From Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 13th ed, p1611).

Also Known As:

Networked: 65 relevant articles (6 outcomes, 10 trials/studies)

Relationship Network

Disease Context: Research Results

Related Diseases

1.	Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS)
2.	Vomiting
3.	Nausea
4.	Multiple Sclerosis
5.	Glaucoma

Experts

1.	Abrams, D I: 2 articles (06/2015 - 10/2000)
2.	Corsi, Oscar: 1 article (12/2017)
3.	Núñez, Alejandra: 1 article (12/2017)
4.	Núñez, Carolina: 1 article (12/2017)
5.	Rada, Gabriel: 1 article (12/2017)
6.	Carter, C: 1 article (02/2016)
7.	Cuhls, H: 1 article (02/2016)
8.	Häuser, W: 1 article (02/2016)
9.	Mücke, M: 1 article (02/2016)
10.	Prüß, M: 1 article (02/2016)

Drugs and Biologics

Drugs and Important Biological Agents (IBA) related to HIV Wasting Syndrome:

1.	CannabinoidsIBA 12/22/2017 - "Are cannabinoids effective for HIV wasting syndrome?" 12/22/2017 - "We concluded it is not clear whether cannabinoids increase appetite or weight in HIV wasting syndrome because the certainty of the evidence is very low, and they probably lead to frequent adverse effects. " 03/12/2014 - "Human trials to establish the efficacy of the use of cannabis/cannabinoids in addressing AIDS wasting syndrome and other negative sequelae of HIV and AIDS are especially needed. " 04/01/2008 - "Oral cannabinoid-containing medications (OCs) ameliorate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as AIDS wasting syndrome. " 06/01/2015 - "Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main bioactive cannabinoid in the plant, has been available as a prescription medication approved for treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and anorexia associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome. "
2.	Testosterone (Sustanon)FDA Link 07/01/2003 - "This review article discusses the biopharmaceutical rationale for the transdermal delivery of testosterone to women, illustrates and quantitatively analyzes the pharmacokinetics and metabolism of the testosterone matrix patch and a recently investigated testosterone gel, and summarizes the efficacy and safety data that have been reported in phase II studies of the testosterone matrix patch in surgically menopausal women with sexual dysfunction and HIV-infected women with the AIDS wasting syndrome. " 04/01/1999 - "The use of testosterone in the AIDS wasting syndrome." 02/01/1999 - "Serum testosterone concentrations are frequently in the low-normal range (lowest quartile, <500 ng/dl) in men with AIDS-wasting syndrome (AWS) and in other chronic wasting disorders. " 07/01/1998 - "It is unknown whether testosterone deficiency contributes to the profound catabolic state and loss of lean body mass associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome. " 11/01/2002 - "Testosterone therapy may be considered in patients with HIV wasting syndrome to reverse muscle loss, but there is a concern about the adverse metabolic effects of long-term testosterone administration and long-term follow-up for these patients is needed."
3.	Dihydrotestosterone (Androstanolone)IBA 07/01/1998 - "Low dihydrotestosterone and weight loss in the AIDS wasting syndrome." 05/01/1996 - "Unimed Pharmaceuticals announced the beginning of a phase II trial to test the safety and efficacy of Androgel-DHT (dihydrotestosterone gel) for treating HIV wasting syndrome and low testosterone levels in AIDS patients. "
4.	Megestrol Acetate (Borea)FDA LinkGeneric 02/01/2016 - "Cannabinoids can lead to an increase in appetite in patients with HIV wasting syndrome but the therapy with megestrol acetate is superior to treatment with cannabinoids. " 03/01/1997 - "The safety and pharmacokinetics of single-agent and combination therapy with megestrol acetate and dronabinol for the treatment of HIV wasting syndrome. " 12/01/1999 - "Significantly more men with low serum testosterone levels had a presence of opportunistic infection (especially HIV wasting syndrome, oesophageal candidiasis, or dementia), CD4+ cell counts below 200 cells/mm3, or were taking megestrol acetate. " 03/01/1997 - "This randomized, open-labeled, multicenter study was designed to assess safety and pharmacokinetics of dronabinol (Marinol) tablets and megestrol acetate (Megace) micronized tablets, alone and in combination, for treatment of HIV wasting syndrome. " 01/01/2016 - "Treatment of HIV wasting syndrome may be managed with appetite stimulants (megestrol acetate or dronabinol), anabolic agents (testosterone, testosterone analogs, or recombinant human growth hormone), or, rarely, cytokine production modulators (thalidomide). "
5.	Antiviral Agents (Antivirals)IBA 10/01/1998 - "In children with AIDS wasting syndrome, a low CD4 count and high viral load are likely so that effective antiviral treatment may ultimately produce the greatest improvement in health, including nutritional status."
6.	Thalidomide (Thalomid)FDA Link 01/01/1998 - "Thalidomide is being investigated for its potential use in treating HIV wasting syndrome and other HIV-related conditions. " 01/01/2002 - "Many recent studies have evaluated thalidomide in patients with HIV infection, in which this drug is an efficacious agent against oral aphthous ulcers, HIV-associated wasting syndrome, HIV-related diarrhea, and Kaposi's sarcoma. " 04/15/2000 - "Many recent studies have evaluated thalidomide in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection; the drug is efficacious against oral aphthous ulcers, HIV-associated wasting syndrome, HIV-related diarrhea, and Kaposi's sarcoma. " 01/01/2016 - "Treatment of HIV wasting syndrome may be managed with appetite stimulants (megestrol acetate or dronabinol), anabolic agents (testosterone, testosterone analogs, or recombinant human growth hormone), or, rarely, cytokine production modulators (thalidomide). "
7.	Human Growth Hormone (Saizen)FDA LinkGeneric 04/01/2005 - "This 12-week, open-label study used bioelectrical impedance analysis to measure body composition changes in 24 patients with AIDS wasting syndrome receiving recombinant human growth hormone (r-hGH). " 09/01/2000 - "Recombinant human growth hormone (rhGH) is an important treatment option for patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) wasting syndrome. " 03/01/1996 - "The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rejected Serono Laboratories' human growth hormone for the treatment of AIDS wasting syndrome. " 05/01/1995 - "The human growth hormone (HGH) expanded access program for people with AIDS wasting syndrome is now in its fourth month. " 09/01/2000 - "Diabetes mellitus associated with recombinant human growth hormone for HIV wasting syndrome."
8.	Therapeutic UsesIBA 07/01/2010 - "Therapeutic effects of nandrolone and testosterone in adult male HIV patients with AIDS wasting syndrome (AWS): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial." 07/01/2010 - "We aimed to compare therapeutic effects of intramuscular (IM) nandrolone decanoate and IM testosterone enanthate in male HIV patients with AIDS wasting syndrome (AWS) with placebo control. "
9.	Nandrolone (Nortestosterone)IBA 07/01/2010 - "Therapeutic effects of nandrolone and testosterone in adult male HIV patients with AIDS wasting syndrome (AWS): a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial."
10.	Zidovudine (Retrovir)FDA LinkGeneric 11/01/1995 - "The most simple classification of muscular disorders in HIV-infected patients is 1) HIV-associated myopathies, 2) zidovudine myopathy, 3) HIV wasting syndrome, and 4) opportunistic infections and tumoral infiltrations of muscle. " 06/01/1995 - "Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF) may activate human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), antagonize zidovudine activity, and contribute to AIDS wasting syndrome. " 06/01/1994 - "We usually classify muscle involvement in HIV-infected patients in one of the following categories: (1) HIV-associated myopathy, a myopathy that meets the criteria for polymyositis in a majority of patients, and those for acquired nemaline myopathy in some; (2) zidovudine myopathy, a reversible mitochondrial myopathy; (3) the HIV-wasting syndrome and other AIDS-associated cachexias; (4) opportunistic infections and tumoral infiltrations of skeletal muscle; (5) vasculitic processes and iron pigment deposits. " 11/01/1995 - "We usually classify muscle involvement in HIV-infected patients in one of the following categories: (1) HIV-associated myopathy, a myopathy that meets the criteria for polymyositis in a majority of patients, and those for acquired nemaline myopathy in some; (2) zidovudine myopathy, a reversible mitochondrial myopathy; (3) the HIV-wasting syndrome and other AIDS-associated cachexias; (4) opportunistic infections and tumoral infiltrations of the skeletal muscle; (5) vasculitic processes and iron pigment deposits; (6) HIV-associated myasthenia gravis and (7) rhabdomyolysis. " 01/01/1997 - "We usually classify muscle involvement in HIV-infected patients in one of the following categories: HIV-associated myopathy, a myopathy that meets the criteria for polymyositis in a majority of patients, and those for acquired nemaline myopathy in some cases (1); zidovudine myopathy, a reversible mitochondrial myopathy (2); HIV-wasting syndrome and other AIDS-associated cachexias (3); opportunistic infections and tumor infiltrations of the skeletal muscle (4); vasculitic processes and iron pigment deposits (5); HIV-associated myasthenia gravis (6) and rhabdomyolysis (7). "

Therapies and Procedures

1.	Therapeutics 01/01/2010 - "HIV Wasting Syndrome in a Nigerian Failing Antiretroviral Therapy: A Case Report and Review of the Literature." 10/01/2000 - "Although the HIV wasting syndrome has become a far less common manifestation of advanced disease since the introduction of highly active therapies, much has been learned about a number of potential therapeutic interventions. " 01/01/1998 - "Treatment studies are also underway for immune-based therapies, Kaposi's sarcoma, and AIDS wasting syndrome." 11/01/1996 - "The first step to treating HIV wasting syndrome is to provide appropriate antiretroviral therapy, including meticulous prophylaxis and treatment of opportunistic infections (OIs). " 07/12/2023 - "Ironically, considering the history of HIV/AIDS (initially called "slim disease" due to associated weight loss), the latest dilemma faced by many people starting HIV therapy is weight gain and obesity, particularly Black people, women, and those who commenced treatment with advanced immunodeficiency. "
2.	Analgesia 03/01/1998 - "Marijuana shows clinical promise for glaucoma, nausea and vomiting, analgesia, spasticity, multiple sclerosis, and AIDS wasting syndrome. "
3.	Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) 01/01/2016 - "Despite the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy, it is estimated that the prevalence of HIV wasting syndrome is between 14% and 38%. " 04/01/1997 - "Even with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the expected eradication of HIV wasting syndrome has not materialized. " 01/01/2010 - "The HIV wasting syndrome represented the face of HIV/AIDS before the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). " 09/01/2005 - "Although the incidence of most AIDS-defining opportunistic infections, including HIV wasting syndrome, has dramatically decreased since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), previous studies have shown that weight loss and wasting are still common in HIV-infected persons. " 12/01/2001 - "HIV infection and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) are associated with a variety of metabolic disorders such as AIDS wasting syndrome, cachexia, sarcopenia, metabolic dysregulation, lipodystrophy, abnormalities of serum lipids, and lactic acidosis. "
4.	Drug Therapy (Chemotherapy) 04/01/2008 - "Oral cannabinoid-containing medications (OCs) ameliorate chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, as well as AIDS wasting syndrome. " 06/01/2015 - "Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol, the main bioactive cannabinoid in the plant, has been available as a prescription medication approved for treatment of cancer chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting and anorexia associated with the AIDS wasting syndrome. " 09/01/2005 - "Until now, cannabinoids were used as antiemetic agents in chemotherapy-induced emesis and in patients with HIV-wasting syndrome. "