HIV wasting syndrome

According to Medical Subject Headings, HIV wasting syndrome, also called AIDS wasting syndrome, is a complication of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome that is defined as "involuntary weight loss of greater than 10 percent associated with intermittent or constant fever and chronic diarrhea or fatigue for more than 30 days in the absence of a defined cause other than human immunodeficiency virus infection. A constant feature is major muscle wasting with scattered myofiber degeneration. A variety of etiologies, which vary among patients, contributes to this syndrome."

In men, it is associated with hypogonadism and has been treated with androgens and anabolic agents. Low androgen levels also have been observed in women, and clinical trials of testosterone patches have shown promise. A systematic review by the Cochrane Collaboration concluded "these results suggest that anabolic steroids may be useful in the treatment of weight loss in HIV infected individuals, due to limitations, treatment recommendations cannot be made."

There is considerable interest in the use of marijuana for the syndrome, and there is substantial use outside formal trials. It has been difficult, however, to get approval for trials.