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Use of Dronabinol Improves Appetite and Reverses Weight Loss in HIV/AIDS-Infected PatientsOrlando Immunology Center, Orlando, Florida, edejesus{at}oicorlando.com
Health Positive, Safety Harbor, Florida
Pacific Oaks Medical Group, Beverly Hills, California
Community Research Initiative of New England, Boston, Massachusetts
Altamed Health Service Corp, Los Angeles, California Objective: To determine whether dronabinol affects appetite and weight status in patients living with HIV/AIDS. Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted to analyze weight and appetite changes and nausea status in patients with HIV/AIDS who received dronabinol for 3 to 12 months from January 11, 1993, to March 17, 2003. Results: Of the 117 patients who lost weight before baseline, 63% maintained or gained weight. In patients receiving dronabinol for 1 year, the mean weight gain (± SD) was 3.7 ± 10.6 lb. The percentage of patients experiencing loss of appetite decreased significantly from 71% at baseline to 26% at 1 month (P < .001) and continued to decline throughout the trial. The percentage of patients experiencing nausea at baseline (38%) decreased consistently from week 2 on; this change from baseline was significant at month 6 (P = .031). Conclusion: When taken for 3 months to 1 year, dronabinol significantly improves appetite and reverses weight loss in patients living with HIV/AIDS.
Key Words: dronabinol anorexia weight loss nausea AIDS
Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC), Vol. 6, No. 2,
95-100 (2007) This article has been cited by other articles:
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