Patients and their doctors have different perceptions about HIV and its treatmentMay 22, 2006Research reported in SAGE Publications' Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care According to results of a nation-wide study published in the latest issue of SAGE Publications' Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care (JIAPAC), HIV positive patients and their doctors have very different views about the disease and how it's treated. The study uncovered differences of opinion between patients and physicians about the initiation of treatment, the various goals of treatment, and even about whether or not the patient understands the doctors' explanations. These and other gaps in perception were revealed in the JIAPAC peer-reviewed article, "State of HIV Treatment: Results of IAPAC Surveys of HIV-Positive Patients and HIV-Treating Physicians in the United States." The article explores the research findings about the attitudes of more than 500 HIV-positive patients and HIV-treating physicians regarding satisfaction with current treatment options, treatment side effects, patient-physician relationships, the importance of looking healthy, and other aspects related to HIV treatment. "While the surveys highlighted many similar views between physicians and patients on issues such as treatment goals and satisfaction with currently available antiretroviral drugs," said José M. Zuniga, IAPAC President/CEO and the author of the JIAPAC article, "it is clear that more candid dialogue is needed to ensure a satisfactory treatment experience for people living with HIV/AIDS." SAGE Publications |
|||||||||||||||||||||
| Related HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News Articles Global challenges and opportunities in fighting HIV/AIDS and neglected diseases Responding to the HIV/AIDS pandemic and tackling so-called neglected tropical diseases are the focus of the November/December 2009 edition of Health Affairs. Cell phones become handheld tools for global development Mobile phones are on the verge of becoming powerful tools to collect data on many issues, ranging from global health to the environment. If started early, HIV treatment reduces death rates toward background levels in African countries Mortality rates of people starting HIV treatment in four African countries approach those of the general population over time, provided that treatment is started before the immune system has been severely damaged, according to research published this week in the open-access journal PLoS Medicine. Treating HIV earlier to decrease the risk of death Begin treatment as early as possible: this general common sense rule seems to apply to most diseases except HIV-AIDS, which is only treated once a certain number of immune cells called "CD4+" cells have disappeared. Waking up dormant HIV HAART (highly active anti-retroviral therapy) has emerged as an extremely effective HIV treatment that keeps virus levels almost undetectable; however, HAART can never truly eradicate the virus as some HIV always remains dormant in cells. Study finds major interruptions in antiretroviral therapy after release from prison The vast majority of HIV-infected Texas prison inmates who receive antiretroviral therapy while incarcerated experience significant interruptions in HIV treatment after their release into the community. Integrating antiretroviral therapy with TB treatment for co-infections reduces mortality A South African treatment study conducted by researchers in the Department of Epidemiology at the Mailman School of Public Health shows that mortality among TB-HIV co-infected patients can be reduced by a remarkable 55%, if antiretroviral therapy (ART) is provided with TB treatment at the same time. HIV drug maraviroc effective for drug-resistant patients As many as one quarter of HIV patients have drug resistance, limiting their treatment options and raising their risk for AIDS and death. Scientists unmask key HIV protein, open door for more powerful AIDS drugs University of Michigan scientists have provided the most detailed picture yet of a key HIV accessory protein that foils the body's normal immune response. Researchers Evaluate Cost-Effectiveness of Genetic Screening to Guide Initial HIV Treatment A major study from a team of researchers from Weill Cornell Medical College and Massachusetts General Hospital has found that a recent change to HIV-treatment guidelines recommending genetic screening is cost-effective under certain conditions. More HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News Articles |
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||
|
|||||||||||||||||||||