OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of lipid-based nutrient supplements (LNS) on the quality of life of people living with HIV (PLHIV) during the first 3 months of antiretroviral treatment (ART), and to investigate the effects of timing of supplementation by comparing with supplementation during the subsequent 3 months.

METHODS: Randomized controlled trial in three ART clinics within public health facilities in Jimma, Ethiopia. Participants were PLHIV eligible to start ART with body mass index >17kg/m(2) and given daily supplements of 200 grams of LNS containing whey or soy either during the first 3 months or the subsequent months of ART. The outcome was measured in terms of total quality of life scores on the adapted version of the WHOQOL-HIV-BREF assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months.

RESULTS: Of the 282 participants, 186 (66.0%) were women. The mean age (standard deviation SD) was 32.8 (±9.0) years, and the mean (SD) total quality of life score was 82.0 (±14.8) at baseline assessment. At 3 months, participants who received LNS showed better quality of life than those who only received ART without LNS [β=6.2, 95% confidence interval: 2.9: 9.6]. At 6 months, there was no difference in total quality of life score between the early and delayed supplementation groups [β=3.0, 95% confidence interval: -0.4: 6.4]. However, the early supplementation group showed higher scores on the social and spirituality domains than the delayed group.

CONCLUSIONS: LNS given during the first 4 months of ART improves the quality of life of PLHIV. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.