Objectives: To investigate the effect of dietary advice based on the NCEP ATP III guidelines on lipid profiles in HIV-infected patients with dyslipidemia

Methods: Twenty-nine HIV-infected patients with dyslipidemia participated in this study. They were randomly assigned into the control group (N = 14) and the intervention group (N = 15). All patients received general advice on healthy food according to Thai Nutrition Flag, and only the patients in the intervention group additionally received dietary advice following the NCEP ATP III guidelines. The patients were followed every 2 months until finished the study (month 6). Three-day dietary records were performed every visit and blood lipid profiles were determined at baseline and month 6.

Results: The results showed that after receiving dietary advice for 6 months, the patients in the intervention group had significantly decreased percentage of calories from fat, but increased percentage of calories from carbohydrate, compared to baselines (p < 0.05). Fat and polyunsaturated fat consumption were significantly lowered in the intervention group compared to those in the control group at month 6 (p < 0.05). At month 6, total cholesterol (TC) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels of the patients in the intervention group were significantly decreased from baselines (p < 0.05), but these levels were not changed in the control group.

Conclusion: Dietary modification is important in managing abnormal blood lipids in HIV-infected patients with dyslipidemia. Following the NCEP ATP III guidelines, individual dietary advice for these patients can improve their dietary intake and thus blood lipid profiles.