Science Current Events | Science News | Brightsurf.com
 
Email a Friend Send to a friend
Printer Friendly Print If started early, HIV treatment reduces death rates toward background levels in African countries

If started early, HIV treatment reduces death rates toward background levels in African countries

April 28, 2009

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.

In sub-Saharan Africa more than 2 million people with HIV now receive antiretroviral treatment (ART), and mortality in HIV-infected patients who have access to ART is declining. In the new study, Matthias Egger of the University of Berne and colleagues investigated how mortality among HIV-infected people starting ART compares with non-HIV related mortality in Cote d'Ivoire, Malawi, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. The researchers analyzed information about people during their first two years on ART in five treatment programs participating in the International epidemiological Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) initiative, and obtained estimates of HIV-unrelated deaths in these countries from the World Health Organization Global Burden of Disease (GBD) project.




Their findings indicate that mortality among HIV-infected people during the first two years of ART is higher than in the general population in these four sub-Saharan countries. However, for patients who start ART when they have a high CD4 lymphocyte count and no signs of advanced HIV disease, the excess mortality is moderate and similar to that associated with diabetes.

http://medicine.plosjournals.org/perlserv/?request=get-document&doi=10.1371/journal.pmed.1000066

Public Library of Science



Related HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News Articles HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News RSS HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News RSS
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.

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.

Operations research promises continued gains for HIV treatment in resource-limited countries
In the past 10 years, the global campaign to expand treatment for millions of people with AIDS living in resource-limited countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, has gained substantial commitments in public and private financing, and has made major strides in making treatment available to those who need it.
More HIV Treatment Current Events and HIV Treatment News Articles
HIV/AIDS Treatment Drugs (Drugs: the Straight Facts)

HIV/AIDS Treatment Drugs (Drugs: the Straight Facts)
by Brigid M. Kane (Author)



Let the Games Begin

Let the Games Begin
Directed By: Tom Moore
Also With: John Wells (Producer), Michael Crichton (Producer), Lydia Woodward (Producer), Lydia Woodward (Writer)



AIDS in Africa

AIDS in Africa
Also With: MacNeil / Lehrer Productions (Producer)

The AIDS crisis in Africa is the subject of this 2001 NewsHour series. Correspondents report on the situation in three countries: Malawi, Botswana and Senegal. Also included is a discussion about the international community's role in combating the epidemic. A warning: segments in the series contain strong images and frank conversations about sexual habits.

GlyMordica Bitter Melon 450 mg. 60 Capsules

GlyMordica Bitter Melon 450 mg. 60 Capsules
by Amazing Herbs - Theramune

Bitter melon is one of the few agents which has the potential to bolster a flagging pancreas. Known for it's ability to help with liver problems, Diabetes and HIV also an excellent natural common cold remedy.

Nutrition and HIV: A New Model for Treatment

Nutrition and HIV: A New Model for Treatment
by Mary Romeyn M.D. (Author)

Treating HIV with Nutrition

Nutrition and HIV addresses the issues of nutrition and HIV from the perspective of the patient as well as the physician. Everyone who is interested in the problems of--and solutions to--nutritional therapy in HIV owes it to themselves to read this book.
--Paul A. Volberding, M.D., director, Center for AIDS Research, San Francisco

This reference book offers a sound nutritional model for sustaining and improving quality of life for HIV positive men and women. It outlines an easy-to-follow program for the prevention and treatment of weight loss--a common problem that if left untreated could lead to serious health decline or even death.



  Hiv Aids Treatments Directory
by Nam Publications Ltd



HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention in India: Modeling the Costs and Consequences (Health, Nutrition, and Population)

HIV/AIDS Treatment and Prevention in India: Modeling the Costs and Consequences (Health, Nutrition, and Population)
by over Mead (Author), Peter Heywood (Author), Julian Gold (Author), Indrani Gupta (Author), Subhah Hira (Author), Elliot Marseille (Author)

How should governments respond to the increasing domestic and international pressures to finance antiretroviral therapy for AIDS patients? Once prohibitively expensive outside rich countries, antiretroviral therapy is now increasingly affordable, especially in India where patent laws and a dynamic pharmaceutical industry have facilitated the production and marketing of some of the best available drug combinations at prices below a dollar a day.

This title projects the future implications of three alternative AIDS treatment financing policies for the health burden of AIDS in India and for its overall health expenditures. The Indian government's 2004 treatment initiative contains elements of all three of these options. Written by an interdisciplinary team of AIDS experts, the book...

AIDS: And Your Job

AIDS: And Your Job
Also With: National AudioVisual Center (Primary Contributor)



The Essential HIV Treatment Fact Book

The Essential HIV Treatment Fact Book
by Paul Douglas (Author)

The authors of The Essential AIDS Fact Book suggest ways to control the HIV virus while more effective treatments are being developed. Sections include HIV Antibody Testing; Obtaining Treatment; Health Care Strategies; Drugs that Help; Living with HIV; Managing Complications; and more.

HIV Treatment Adherence: Challenging for Social Services (Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services)

HIV Treatment Adherence: Challenging for Social Services (Journal of HIV/AIDS & Social Services)
by Lana Sue Ka'opua (Author), Nathan L. Linsk (Author), Lana Sue Ka'opus; Nathan L. Linsk (Editor)

Learn the latest social service interventions to promote HIV medication adherence

Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) can significantly improve the health outcomes of people living with HIV. Still, benefits rely on the steady adherence to the medication regimen as prescribed. Social Work and HIV: Challenges to Treatment Adherence is a practice-friendly resource with the latest HIV medication client adherence strategies and guidelines. This valuable book provides the tools for assessment of client adherence, and includes approaches and helpful guidelines to develop specialized counseling, social services, and provider training programs.

Treatment plans for HIV can be complicated and client adherence can hinge on several...

© 2009 BrightSurf.com