Category Archives: Population(s)
Peginterferon alfa-2a is superior to peginterferon alfa-2b in the treatment of naïve patients with hepatitis C virus infection: Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
BACKGROUND: Pegylated interferon (PEGIFN) and ribavirin combination is the standard of care for the treatment of chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. Studies comparing the efficacy and safety of PEGIFN...
HIV prevalence among female sex workers, drug users and men who have sex with men in Brazil: A systematic review and meta-analysis
BACKGROUND:The Brazilian response towards AIDS epidemic is well known, but the absence of a systematic review of vulnerable populations – men who have sex with men (MSM), female sex workers...
Meta-analysis of the safety, tolerability, and efficacy of lopinavir/ritonavir-containing antiretroviral therapy in HIV-1-infected women
PURPOSE: Women comprise ≯50% of HIV-infected patients, yet safety, tolerability, and efficacy data in women taking antiretrovirals (ARVs) are limited. Lopinavir/ ritonavir (LPV/r)-anchored regimens are globally the most widely prescribed...
Effects of interferon-alpha treatment on the incidence of hyperglycemia in chronic hepatitis c patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis
Background: There is a significant association between effects of interferon-alpha treatment and the risk of developing hyperglycemia in patients with chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection. The objective of this...
Screening for HIV: Systematic review to update the 2005 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation
BACKGROUND: A 2005 U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) review found good evidence that HIV screening is accurate and that antiretroviral therapy (ART) for immunologically advanced disease is associated with...
The effectiveness of highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected children in Asian countries
Worldwide, there are 2.1 million children under 15 years of age living with HIV infection. In the past five years, there has been significant progress in providing antiretroviral therapy (ART)...
Efficacy of antiretroviral drugs in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV in Africa: A meta-analysis of published clinical trials
Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) have been shown to be efficacious in decreasing mother-to-child transmission (MTCT) of HIV. A summary estimate of the efficacy of ARVs in reducing MTCT is important for...
Nutritional interventions for reducing morbidity and mortality in people with HIV
Background: Adequate nutrition is important for optimal immune and metabolic function. Dietary support may, therefore, improve clinical outcomes in HIV-infected individuals by reducing the incidence of HIV-associated complications and attenuating...
Life-threatening adverse reactions after acupuncture: A systematic review
Acupuncture is amongst the oldest forms of medical treatment. Many proponents feel that this fact sufficiently demonstrates its safety. While traditional use and acceptance renders frequent adverse reactions unlikely, we...
Polymerase chain reaction for the diagnosis of HIV infection in adults: A meta-analysis with recommendations for clinical practice and study design
PURPOSE: To do a meta-analysis of studies that have evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay for the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in...
