| Methods |
Randomised controlled trial.
Duration 12 weeks. |
| Participants |
Adults (n = 15, 14 men and 1 woman, age not reported) with HIV infection and weight loss 5% or more in 6 months or BMI < 21 or CD4 cell count < 500/mm‐3. Original group consisted of 18 participants, but 3 not included because of non‐adherence and severe disease complications. |
| Interventions |
Dietary advice and nutritional supplements (target unspecified, n = 8) versus no nutritional therapy (n = 7). |
| Outcomes |
Weight*, lean and fat mass, macronutrient intake, energy intake*, immune function, QOL. |
| Notes |
Additional data and information on quality requested from authors. Received a reply to say information no longer available. |
| Risk of bias |
| Bias |
Authors' judgement |
Support for judgement |
| Random sequence generation (selection bias) |
Low risk |
Information from author states that randomisation performed by pharmacy using a random number generator. |
| Allocation concealment (selection bias) |
Unclear risk |
The author could not supply details about allocation concealment. |
| Blinding (performance bias and detection bias)
Clinical outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Not stated. |
| Blinding (performance bias and detection bias)
Functional outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Not stated. |
| Blinding (performance bias and detection bias)
Nutritional outcomes |
Unclear risk |
Not stated. |
| Incomplete outcome data (attrition bias)
All outcomes |
High risk |
Original group consisted of 18 participants, but 3 not included because of non‐adherence and severe disease complications. Author unable to provide details of which groups the drop‐outs were in. |
| Selective reporting (reporting bias) |
Unclear risk |
All outcomes were reported, as mean change at baseline and end of follow‐up therefore change scores were calculated and SDs imputed. |
| Other bias |
High risk |
Baseline variables not stated, don't know if groups similar at baseline. |
