Impact of a selenium chemoprevention clinical trial on hospital admissions of HIV-infected participants.

Abstract

PURPOSE:

To evaluate the impact of selenium chemoprevention (200 microg/day) on hospitalizations in HIV-positive individuals.

METHOD:

Data were obtained from 186 HIV+ men and women participating in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled selenium clinical trial (1998-2000). Supplements were dispensed monthly, and clinical evaluations were conducted every 6 months. Inpatient hospitalizations, hospitalization costs, and rates of hospitalization were determined 2 years before and during the trial.

RESULTS:

At enrollment, no significant differences in CD4 cell counts or viral burden were observed between the two study arms. Fewer placebo-treated participants were using antiretrovirals (p <.05). The total number of hospitalizations declined from 157 before the trial to 103 during the 2 year study. A marked decrease in total admission rates (RR = 0.38; p =.002) and percent of hospitalizations due to infection/100 patients for those receiving selenium was observed (p =.01). As a result, the cost for hospitalization decreased 58% in the selenium group, compared to a 30% decrease in the placebo group (p =.001). In the final analyses, selenium therapy continued to be a significant independent factor associated with lower risk of hospitalization (p =.001).

CONCLUSION:

Selenium supplementation appears to be a beneficial adjuvant treatment to decrease hospitalizations as well as the cost of caring for HIV-1-infected patients.

• Authors: Ximena Burbano, Maria Jose Miguez-Burbano, Kathryn McCollister, Guoyan Zhang, Allan Rodriguez, Phillip Ruiz, Robert Lecusay, Gail Shor-Posner
• Journal: HIV clinical trials (HIV Clin Trials) 2002 Nov-Dec Vol. 3 Issue 6 Pg. 483-91 ISSN: 1528-4336 [Print] England
• PMID: 12501132 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.)

Chemical References

• Selenium

Topics

• Adult
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Chemotherapy, Adjuvant
• Dietary Supplements
• Double-Blind Method
• Female
• Florida
• HIV Infections (drug therapy, economics, prevention & control)
• Hospital Costs
• Hospitalization (economics, statistics & numerical data)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Selenium (administration & dosage)
• Treatment Outcome
• Viral Load