Assessing the role of intestinal absorption, permeability, and nutrition in AIDS patients

In at least 50% of North American and European patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and in nearly 90% of patients in developing countries diarrhea and other gastrointestinal symptoms develop at some time during the course of disease. These symptoms are often troublesome with a significant impact on the patient’s quality of life. ⁵² Furthermore, impaired intestinal function is likely to contribute to weight loss, malnutrition, deterioration of the immune system and overall mortality in HIV-infected patients.