Biomedical subjects

Francesca Moretti

Publications and source records attributed to Francesca Moretti.

21 records · Page 2Linked to original sources

PubMed2002

Genotype resistance profiles in patients failing an NNRTI-containing regimen, and modifications after stopping NNRTI therapy.

Resistance to non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs) develops quickly and independently if they are used in combination with NRTIs or protease inhibitors (PIs) as rescue therapy, mainly due to the low genetic barrier of this class of drugs. In this study we examined clinical, therapeutic, and virologic characteristics in 88 patients with mutations conferring resistance to NNRTIs, and in 11 patients 1 year after stopping NNRTI therapy. Between patients administered Nevirapine (NVP) and those taking Efavirenz (EFV), no statistical differences were found in CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, time on NNRTI therapy, or number of PIs administered previously. A slow decline in the detectability of mutations encoding NNRTI resistance was found.

Alkynes↗

PubMedDate not supplied

[Giving information and involving in treatment: what do psychiatrists think? A review].

AIMS: A narrative review of studies on the psychiatrists' opinion about the information process and the factors that may influence the extent to which patients are informed and involved in the information process. METHODS: A literature review, without restrictions of time, was carried out using Medline and PsychInfo databases. RESULTS: Twenty three studies of interest were identified. The diagnosis of depression, anxiety and substances abuse are comunicated in a high percentage of cases; while the diagnosis of schizophrenia and other psychotic disordes are often concealed to patients. As far as pharmacological treatment is concerned, psychiatrists are more inclined to communicate those side effects which from their point of view are considered as less stressfull for the patient. No studies refer to the comunication of prognosis. The reasons adduced by psychiatrists for informing or not informing regard the etiology and the validity of some psychiatric diagnoses, the cognitive difficulties of patients, worries about stigmatizing or damaging patients. CONCLUSIONS: The choice to involve patients in treatment should be made from the prospective of promoting patient's well being rather than to depend on psychiatrists' communication difficulties, prejudices or on a habit of a paternalistic relationship style.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Clinical experiences with interferon as monotherapy or in combination with ribavirin in patients co-infected with HIV and HCV.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) co-infection accelerates progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) toward cirrhosis. Thus, with the increase of life expectancy observed after introduction of combination antiretroviral treatment, liver disease is becoming an increasing cause of morbidity and mortality in HIV-infected patients. In addition, HCV co-infection blunts CD4 restoration induced by HAART and increases HAART hepatotoxicity. For all these reasons, anti-HCV treatment is mandatory in HIV seropositives. The perfect treatment of hepatitis C should not only be safe and effective, but it should not have any adverse impact on HIV diseases and concurrent anti-HIV therapy. Two drugs are currently licensed for treatment of HCV: interferon alfa (IFNalpha) and ribavirin. Three hundred and thirty-eight patients have been included in pilot studies on the efficacy and tolerability of IFNalpha monotherapy: 16% showed sustained response and 10% dropped out. No significant adverse impact of IFNalpha monotherapy on HIV diseases or antiretroviral treatment has been observed. IFNalpha and ribavirin in combination have been introduced more recently: only 88 patients were included in pilot studies published as full papers with a 25% sustained response and an 11% rate of drop outs. Anemia and cumulative toxicity with didanosine were the most important side effects of combination treatment, but it did not affect HIV disease progression. Higher rates of sustained response (33%) without increase of side effects have been observed in preliminary experiences with the new long-acting pegylated interferons in combination with ribavirin. The search for the perfect treatment continues.

Drug Therapy, Combination↗