STANFORD, Calif., May 20, 2009 (UPI via COMTEX) -- U.S. medical researchers say
they've determined AIDS patients with serious complications benefit from early
antiretroviral treatment.
Scientists at the Stanford University School of Medicine said a multicenter
trial they led determined patients testing positive for the human
immunodeficiency virus who don't seek medical attention until they have a
serious AIDS-related condition can reduce their risk of death or other
complications by half if they get early antiretroviral treatment.
The researchers said their findings could lead to widespread changes in HIV
treatment, particularly for patients diagnosed at an advanced stage.
"Even in San Francisco, one of the first epicenters of HIV in the United States,
we still find that many people present late in the course of their illness with
an opportunistic infection," said Dr. Mitch Katz, San Francisco's director of
health, who was not involved in the study. "This study shows that it is
life-saving to treat those persons with antiretroviral drugs while they are
still in the hospital.
"The results of this study will change practices throughout the world," he
added.
The research that involved 262 patients at 39 U.S. sites, as well as 20 patients
in South Africa, is reported in the online journal PLoS One.
URL: www.upi.com
Copyright 2009 by United Press International