Updated HIV Treatment Guidelines Available
On May 5, newly updated government guidelines for the treatment of HIV disease were published in print and on the Web. Intended to help in making HIV treatment decisions, Guidelines for the Use of Antiretroviral Agents in HIV-Infected Adults and Adolescents was developed by a panel of over 30 leading AIDS treatment researchers, expert clinicians, and community advocates. Although written primarily for healthcare professionals, the document can also help patients who are interested in participating in their own care, and advocates or case managers coordinating HIV care for others.Included in the new version are recommendations for the use of the newly approved nucleoside analog reverse transcriptase inhibitor abacavir (Ziagen(tm))--listed in one of the "alternative" regimens, not listed as "preferred."
Also, the panel considered recently published data that has suggested a more rapid disease progression for women living with HIV than for men who have the same viral load. Because of limited information at this time, the panel decided to monitor the situation but not to recommend different treatment for women.
The new Guidelines also discuss the use of hydroxyurea; however, no formal recommendation was made at this time.
The official Web site for HIV treatment guidelines is the AIDS Treatment Information Service, http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/; links or copies will also be available at many other sites. The official document is provided as a PDF file, but you do not need to use that format; at http://aidsinfo.nih.gov/, click on "Need help downloading the Adult Guidelines document?" and you will be given the option to use "HTML version with links to tables and figures," which may be more convenient.
You can also obtain a print copy of the Guidelines, by calling 800-448-0440. Also, you can hear a recording of a May 10 telephone conference with expert panelists discussing the guidelines and answering callers' questions. To listen to the recording (about 75 minutes long), call 888-207-2647, pass code 5101. Also, an edited transcript will soon be available at (website no longer available).
