Risk factors for Kaposi's sarcoma in the Vancouver lymphadenopathy-AIDS study

Article Abstract:

Infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) often leads to complications such as Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia. The epidemiology of KS shows that it occurs in a much larger proportion of AIDS patients who are homosexual or bisexual men than the other risk groups, such as heterosexuals, hemophiliacs and intravenous drug users. The incidence of KS in recent years, and factors associated with the development of KS, were examined in homosexual men in the Vancouver Lymphadenopathy-AIDS study. The ratio of new cases of KS to new cases of opportunistic infections decreased from 0.75 (9 KS cases to every 12 opportunistic infection cases) in 1982 to 1985, to 0.57 in 1986 to 1987, to 0.27 in 1988 to 1989. Therefore, a decline in the incidence of KS among AIDS patients has been seen in recent years. Several HIV risk factors, such as the number of sexual partners and practice of receptive anal intercourse, were higher in the individuals with KS than the individuals with opportunistic infections. The strongest associations between the development of KS and specific risk factors were large numbers of sexual partners in high-risk areas (San Francisco, Los Angeles and New York) and elevated use of nitrite inhalants. Contacting sexual partners in washrooms or parks was also shown to be a risk factor for KS, relative to opportunistic infections. These data support the idea that persons who develop KS may be exposed to a particular strain of HIV which leads to KS, or to a cofactor for KS that is sexually transmitted. (Consumer Summary produced by Reliance Medical Information, Inc.)

Sexual behavior, Health aspects, Complications and side effects, Risk factors, Demographic aspects, Gay men, AIDS (Disease), Kaposi's sarcoma, Opportunistic infections, Vancouver, British Columbia

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Use of the Markov model to estimate the waiting times in a modified WHO staging system for HIV infection

Article Abstract:

The modified World Health Organization (WHO) staging system for classifying HIV infection appears to provide useful information about the prognosis of patients at different stages. This staging system uses the CD4 T cell count or total white blood cell count and clinical symptoms to assign patients to stage I through IV. Each stage represents progressively more severe disease. Researchers used a mathematical technique called the Markov method to estimate the amount of time 130 HIV-infected men spent in each stage and the average survival times at each stage. This model estimated that the men would spend 3.1 years in stage I, 4.4 in stage II, 2.2 in stage III and 1.6 in stage IV. It would take 9.5 years to go from stage I to stage IV, 6.5 years to go from stage II to IV and 2 years to go from stage III to IV. Survival times were estimated to be 11.2 years in stage I, 8.2 years in stage II, 3.7 years in stage III and 1.7 years in stage IV.

Development and progression

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Determinants of complementary therapy use in HIV-infected individuals receiving antiretroviral or anti-opportunistic agents

Article Abstract:

There appear to be patterns in the type of patient with HIV or AIDS who seeks alternative treatment in addition to standard medical treatment. A survey was conducted among 657 patients in a medical treatment program for HIV or AIDS to determine characteristics of patients who seek additional treatment. Overall, 39% of the patients reported using supplemental treatments at least once. These patients were typically young, college educated, and in pain. The most frequently used therapies included vitamins, minerals, massage, herbs, and relaxation.

Usage, Behavior, AIDS patients, HIV patients, Alternative medicine, Medicine, Herbal, Herbal medicine

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