Pharmacological considerations in human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in the intensive care unit

Psychological pathways to HIV-related posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms among people living with HIV in China: the mediating role of rumination

The occurrence of HIV-related posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) compromises the physical and mental health of people living with HIV (PLWH). This study examined the psychological pathways of HIV-related PTSD symptoms considering the influence of rumination in PLWH of China. A cross-sectional survey was conducted in Changsha, China. The data were collected using the PTSD Checklist-Civilian Version, the Ruminative Response Scale, the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support, and measures of sociodemographic and HIV-related clinic characteristics. A total of 602 PLWH were surveyed. The average score of HIV-related PTSD symptoms was (34.54 ± 13.58). The mediation model showed that perceived social stigma and physical health exhibited direct associations with PTSD symptoms (β = 0.093, -0.145, respectively), while the direct relations of family support, friend support and significant others support to PTSD symptoms were not significant. Rumination mediated the effect of perceived social stigma (β = 0.077), physical health (β = -0.150), family support (β = -0.144) and friend support (β = -0.105) on PTSD symptoms. The study findings underscore the importance of routinely assessing PTSD for PLWH, and developing trauma-focused interventions that alleviate HIV-related PTSD symptoms and reduce rumination while improving social support and physical health and reducing social stigma.

Mortality, survival and prognostic factors of people with AIDS in intensive care unit

OBJECTIVE

To analyze mortality, survival and prognostic factors of patients with AIDS in Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

METHOD

Retrospective cohort study with a sample of 202 patients with AIDS in ICU, whose sociodemographic, epidemiological, and clinical characteristics were obtained from medical records and assessed.

RESULTS

Patients were mostly male (73.8%) and drug users (59.4%), with no regular health follow-up (61.4%) and no adherence to antiretrovirals (40.6%), presenting low CD4+ T lymphocyte count (94.0%) and high viral load (44.6%). The main causes of hospitalization were sepsis and respiratory and renal insufficiency. The mean duration of hospitalization was 11.9 days (p = 0.0001), with a 41.6% survival; 58.5% died in the ICU. Sepsis upon admission (p < 0.001), pressure injury (p = 0.038), sexual exposure (p = 0.002), high viral load (p = 0.00001) and prolonged hospitalization (p < 0.001) increased the risk of death.

CONCLUSION

Most patients had no regular health follow-up, were drug users and presented low CD4+ T lymphocyte count and high viral load. The high mortality indicated that antiretroviral adherence is essential to reduce viral resistance, opportunistic diseases, and mortality.

Nursing Considerations for Patients With HIV in Critical Care Settings

Infection with HIV is a chronic condition that requires daily medication to suppress viral replication. With appropriate treatment, people living with HIV have a life expectancy approaching that of the general population. However, they are at increased risk for comorbidities including cardiovascular disease, renal disease, type 2 diabetes, neurologic conditions, and cancers, often with worse outcomes than in patients without HIV. When they are admitted to critical care settings, care considerations, particularly regarding antiretroviral therapy, must be addressed. Antiretroviral therapy is critical for successful management of HIV infection and should be continued when possible during intensive care unit stays. However, many antiretroviral regimens result in drug-drug interactions, adverse drug-related events, and secondary complications such as insulin resistance and prolonged QT intervals. Critical care nurses have unique opportunities to provide safe, unbiased, and compassionate care that promotes health for a population of people who have a history of being stigmatized.

Cardiovascular Disease and HIV: Pathophysiology, Treatment Considerations, and Nursing Implications

HIV infection has progressed from an acute, terminal disease to a chronic illness with cardiovascular disease as the leading cause of death among persons living with HIV. As persons living with HIV infection continue to become older, traditional risk factors for atherosclerosis compounded by the pathophysiological effects of HIV infection and antiretroviral therapy markedly increase the risk for cardiovascular disease. Further, persons living with HIV are also at high risk for cardiomyopathy. Critical care nurses must recognize the risk factors for cardiovascular disease and the pathophysiology and complex treatment options in order to manage care of these patients and facilitate multidisciplinary collaboration. Two case studies are used to highlight the treatment options and nursing considerations associated with cardiovascular disease among persons living with HIV.