Beneficial effects of protease inhibitors on body composition and energy expenditure: a comparison between HIV-infected and AIDS patients.

Objectives: (i) To investigate whether protease inhibitor (PI) (nelfinavir)-containing highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) affects body composition differently in HIV-infected and AIDS patients without wasting syndrome. (ii) To delineate the changes in resting energy expenditure (REE) under PI therapy, and to determine whether sustained reductions in HIV RNA would decrease REE.

Design: Prospective longitudinal cohort study with individually matched healthy controls.