ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of early initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in asymptomatic HIV-infected, treatment-naive adults and adolescents. To assess the evidence for the optimal time to initiate ART.
MethodsDatabases including PubMed, EMbase, The Cochrane Library (Issue 4, 2016), CBM, CNKI, VIP and WanFang Data were searched to collect randomized controlled trials (RCTs) about early initiation and optimal time to initiate ART in asymptomatic, treatment-naive HIV-infected patients from January 1996 to April 2016. Two review authors independently assessed study eligibility, extracted data and graded methodological quality. Data extraction and methodological quality were checked by a third author who resolved differences when these arose. We meta-analysed dichotomous outcomes using the risk ratio (RR) and report the 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) by using RevMan 5.3 software.
ResultsA total of 4 RCTs involving 8 751 patients were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that initiating ART at CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4 counts) ≥350 cells/μL or 500 cells/μL, comparing to deferring initiation of ART to CD4 counts <350 cells/μL, would benefit patients more: (1) Risk of AIDS-defining illnesses which representing disease progression, reduced significantly when starting ART at higher CD4 counts (no less than 350 cells/μL) (RR=0.49, 95%CI 0.38 to 0.64, P<0.001). The reduction of risk was even more significant when initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL (RR=0.38, 95%CI 0.24 to 0.59, P<0.001). (2) When initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 350 cells/μL, the risk of serious non-AIDS related events was significantly reduced by 42% (RR=0.58, 95%CI 0.40 to 0.83, P=0.003). When initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL, according to START 2015, the risk of serious non-AIDS related events could be reduced by 39% (RR=0.61, P=0.04). (3) However, when initiating ART at CD4 counts of not less than 350 cells/μL or 500 cells/μL, comparing to deferring initiation, there were no statistically significant differences in death (RR=0.70, 95%CI 0.48 to 1.02, P=0.06) and serious adverse events (RR=0.67, 95%CI 0.38 to 1.20, P=0.18).
ConclusionOur findings contribute to the evidence base for recommending initiating ART at CD4 counts of 350-500 cells/μL compared to initiating it later when CD4 counts fall below 350 cells/μL. As for patients with CD4 counts of not less than 500 cells/μL, initiation of ART is also recommended.
Objective To explore the key influencing factors of HIV risk behavior among male who have sex with male (MSM). Methods 36 MSM subjects in a community were recruited for HIV risk behavior characteristics, social environment and the attitude of exposure of high risk sexual intercourse, using behavior scales and qualitative research methods. The collected data were orderly input and analyzed using Nvivo 8.0 software. Then, after three-level transcription, the data were further summarized and extracted based on the method of the grouding theory. Results The HIV Risk Assessment Questionnaire score of 36 subjects was 8.08±2.46, of whom, 72% scored at a medium level (5 to 10 scores) and 19% scored at a high level (more than 10 scores). The social support rating scale (SSRS) score was 32.38±5.99 in MSM population, lower than in undergraduates and floating population. The results of qualitative analysis showed that, after open coding, 11 key message and 4 categories contributed to HIV risk in MSM populaiton, including: a) low levels of fear for AIDS; b) male role and uncertain sexual orientation; c) low degree social support; and d) poor availability of condom in the setting of sexual intercourse. Conclusion The interventions against AIDS/HIV for MSM need to be further studied. Besides, we should strengthen the community intervention mode based on fear for AIDS, social support, and condom distribution methods
Objective To investigate the potential effect of glucocorticoids (referred to as 'hormones' here) on decreasing case fatality rate in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) negative Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP). Methods The clinical data of a cohort of 93 patients that were diagnosed with HIV-negative PJP at Jiangxi Provincial People's Hospital between April 2019 and April 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were classified into two groups based on the partial pressure of oxygen in arterial blood (PaO2), specifically PaO2 ≥70 mm Hg and PaO2 <70 mm Hg. The association between case fatality rate and various factors such as underlying diseases, hormone use, mechanical ventilation, and others was examined. Results Over a period of three years, 93 cases of HIV-negative PJP were identified. The most prevalent underlying diseases were solid organ transplantation (n=34, 36.6%), rheumatic system diseases (n=26, 28.0%), and malignant tumors (n=15, 16.1%). 51 cases had arterial PaO2 levels ≥70 mm Hg, while 42 cases had levels <70 mm Hg. Moreover, 19 patients required invasive ventilation, 39 patients were treated with non-invasive ventilation, while 50 patients received oxygenation using a nasal cannula. Out of the 93 patients, 31 died from the disease, resulting in an overall case fatality rate of 33.3%. Meanwhile, 62 patients survived. In patients with arterial PaO2 levels ≥70 mm Hg, the administration of hormones did not significantly affect the case fatality rate (P > 0.05); In patients with arterial PaO2 level <70 mm Hg, the administration of hormones did not significantly affect the case fatality rate (P > 0.05). Conclusion Hormone use did not contribute to improved survival rates in HIV-negative PJP patients, regardless of arterial PaO2 level.
ObjectiveTo compare the incidences of peritoneal dialysis (PD)-associated peritonitis among HIV and non-HIV patients, and to analyze the risk factors of PD-associated peritonitis. MethodsEnd-stage renal disease patients with HIV infection who newly started PD in West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2012 to 2020 were retrospectively included, and non-HIV PD patients in the same period were included as controls at a ratio of 1 to 4. The risk factors of PD-associated peritonitis were analyzed by univariate analysis and multivariate logistic analysis. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and COX regression analysis were used to compare the peritonitis-free survival between HIV group and non-HIV group. ResultsA total of 60 PD patients were included. The average follow-up time was 31.2±21.3 months. Peritonitis occurred in 7 HIV patients (58.33%) and 8 non-HIV patients (16.67%). Logistic regression analysis showed that HIV infection (P=0.018) and high platelet (>150×109/L) (P=0.032) were independent risk factors for PD-associated peritonitis. The incidence of PD-associated peritonitis in HIV patients significantly increased (HR=10.944, 95%CI 1.503 to 79.707). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 5-year peritonitis-free survival of non-HIV group was significantly higher than that of HIV group (75.7% vs. 31.1%) (P=0.003). Multivariate COX survival analysis showed that the 5-year accumulative risk of peritonitis in HIV PD patients was 5.896 times (95%CI 1.508 to 23.043, P=0.01) higher than that of the non-HIV PD patients. ConclusionHIV infection is an independent risk factor for PD-associated peritonitis.
Objective To compare quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and their family members of noninfected people in two counties (Zizhong and Zhaojue) with high AIDS morbidity and high HIV infective rates. Methods The quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and 162 of their family members and 97 people noninfected HIV/AIDS was measured by a questionnaire containing the generic quality of life inventory 74 (GQOLI-74) and the social support scale (SSS). Data were analyzed with SPSS. Results Total GQOLI-74 scores and each of the four dimensionality scores were significantly lower for HIV/AIDS people and their family members compared with noninfected people (total score for HIV/AIDS people 52.20 [9.41]; family members 60.46 [11.92]; noninfected people 66.36 [8.90] (Plt;0.01)). Scores for each of the disease status (physical function, psychological function, social function and material status) were all lower compared with noninfected people (all comparisons Plt;0.01). GQOLI-74 scores of HIV/AIDS people were significantly correlated with disease status and social support, but age, education level and substance abuse did not show significantly correlation. Conclusions The quality of life for HIV infected people or AIDS patients and their families is significantly lower than the general population, and this is particularly related to the severity of their disease and lack of social support.
ObjectiveTo investigate the ultrasonic changes of hepatic veins and splenic veins during various immune stages with different CD4+T lymphocyte count.
MethodsFifty AIDS/HIV patients with chronic viral hepatitis treated between January 2010 and October 2013 were designated as the case group, and another 50 patients with simple chronic viral hepatitis were regarded as the controls. For patients in the case group, we observed their ultrasonic changes of hepatic and splenic veins during various immune stages with different CD4+T lymphocyte count. The results of observation and clinical laboratory analysis were compared.
ResultsAbnormal ultrasonic changes were detected in the liver in various immune stages based on the CD4+T lymphocyte count, and the main manifestations of these changes included unclear portal and splenic vein distal direction, wide diameter, slowed blood flow velocity, and disappearance of fluctuations of blood flow spectrum; and unclear hepatic vein distal direction, low and three-phase, and negative blood flow spectrum with the disappearance of windows were also detected. There were no statistical differences between the case group and the control group when the CD4+T cell count was over 300/mm3, and a few indexes were significantly different when the CD4+T cell count was between 100 and 200/mm3. However, the differences of almost all indexes were significant when the CD4+T cell count was below 100/mm3.
ConclusionPatients with HIV/AIDS combined with chronic viral hepatitis have ultrasonographic abnormalities of intrahepatic and splenic veins, which is more obvious as the CD4+T cell count declines. Overall consideration of intrahepatic vein and splenic vein ultrasonic indicators helps clinical assessment of disease development in patients with HIV/AIDS combined with chronic viral hepatitis.
ObjectiveTo systematically review the effects of condom use before and after AIDS behaviour intervention among Chinese unlicensed prostitutes.
MethodsDatabases such as PubMed, The Cochrane Library (Issue 5, 2014), VIP, WanFang Data and CNKI were searched to collect nationally/internationally-published before-after studies about the effects of condom use before and after aids behaviour intervention among Chinese unlicensed prostitutes up to June 1st, 2014. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and assessed methodological quality of included studies. Then meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software.
ResultsA total of 26 studies were finally included. The results of meta-analysis showed that:significant differences were found at two points of "use condoms in the latest sex behaviour" (RR=0.76, 95%CI 0.72 to 0.82, P<0.05) and "use condoms every time in the latest month" (RR=0.61, 95%CI 0.53 to 0.70, P<0.05) before and after intervention.
ConclusionAIDS behaviour intervention can significantly promote condom use in Chinese unlicensed prostitutes, which is effective in the prevention of AIDS.
Objective To observe the fundus characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus with acquired immune deficiency (HIV/AIDS). Methods A total of 1041 HIV/AIDS patients were enrolled in this study. The patients included 882 males (88.70%) and 159 females (11.30%). The patientsprime; ages ranged from 12 to 73 years, with a mean age of 41 years. The median time of HIV/AIDS diagnosis was 12 months, which ranged from one month to 10 years. HIV infection was acquired through sexual contact, intravenous drug use, blood transfusion or mother-to-child transmission in 475 patients (45.63%), 508 patients (48.80%), 44 patients (4.25%) and 14 patients (1.34%), respectively. Ocular examinations (vision acuity, slit lamp microscope and fundus examination) were performed on recruited patients with HIV/AIDS. Additional exams (intraocular pressure, fundus photography and fundus fluorescein angiography) were done if abnormal ocular fundus was found. The ocular manifestations were diagnosed according to clinic reference. Results Ocular manifestations of HIV/AIDS were detected in 247 patients (23.73%). Of 247 patients, the most common ocular manifestation was HIV retinopathy, which was present in 132 patients (53.44%); cytomegalovirus retinitis (CMVR) was second place, affecting 70 participants (28.34%). Clinic findings of HIV retinopathy included retina microaneurysm, hemorrhage along the blood vessel with cotton-wool spots, while irregular dry edge, granular appearing border, were present in CMVR, and the optic nerve may be affected. Fluorescein angiogram of HIV retinopathy demonstrated that hemorrhage was shown as sheltered fluorescence, with b fluorescence without leakage in center of hemorrhage. Fluorescein angiogram of CMVR demonstrated significant hemorrhage appearing as sheltered fluorescence with leakage and/or transparent fluorescence. The optic disk and lesioned area were stained with fluorescence. Conclusions There are various HIV/AIDS related ocular manifestation. HIV retinopathy and CMVR are common ocular manifestations. The main clinical findings of HIV retinopathy are hemorrhage and/or cotton-wool spots, while irregular granular appearing edges and hemorrhage were observed in CMVR.
ObjectiveTo translate evidence of "HIV/AIDS Clinical Nursing Practice Guideline" into clinical practice, in order to reduce the incidence and severity of symptoms of AIDS and to improve the quality of life of patients.
MethodsWe integrated the best evidence into the HIV/AIDS inpatient unit of a tertiary hospital for infectious disease in Shanghai, China between September 2013 and February 2015. Based on the "Ottawa Model of Research Use", this study was divided into four stages: evaluating the status quo, building the evidence-based strategy, applying evidence-based decision-making, and evaluating results and reflecting. 148 patients were either assigned to an intervention group with HIV/AIDS-related symptom management protocol (n=74), or to a usual care group (n=74) for the duration of their antiretroviral therapy. Then Medical Outcomes Questionnaire (MOS-HIV) were applied to evaluate the life quality after intervention.
ResultsMixed-effects regression indicated significant difference between groups across time in total MOS-HIV score. The intervention group increased more than the control group 2.72 points in total MOS-HIV scores per month (P<0.05).
ConclusionThe evidence-translation and evidence-based decision-making of "HIV/AIDS Clinical Nursing Practice Guideline" can regulate nurse behavior, raise the quality of clinical care and improve the patients' quality of life.
Objective This study applies a realist synthesis approach to analyze the context-mechanism-outcome (CMO) configurations of psychological resilience interventions for people living with HIV/AIDS. This study aims to explore the applicability and activation pathways of interventions across different contexts, and to construct an actionable theoretical framework to guide personalized intervention design. Methods According to the RAMESES reporting guidelines, a five-stage realist synthesis approach was adopted. The PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, CINAHL, CBM, WanFang Data, VIP, and CNKI databases were electronically searched from the inception to July 1, 2025. Two researchers independently screened studies and assessed quality by relevance and rigor. Intervention elements were extracted to build and refine CMO configurations through stakeholder feedback, forming the final theory. Results A total of 32 studies were included. Four key intervention mechanisms were identified: cognitive-behavioral approaches, social support, self-efficacy enhancement, and strength-based positive psychology. The findings highlight that intervention effectiveness depends on context alignment and mechanism activation. Single mechanisms may be less effective in resource-limited or high-stress settings. Conclusion Psychological resilience interventions for HIV/AIDS patients should be context-specific, combining mechanisms in tailored ways to improve relevance and impact
