ABSTRACT
Research has demonstrated that strict adherence is necessary to maximize highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) benefits. This is particularly challenging for low-literacy populations in resource-limited settings like Morocco and motivated the implementation of a psychoeducative program for patients under HAART at Rabat University Hospital. The study aimed at assessing the program's impact on adherence to antiretroviral medication, knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HAART, quality of life, and biological parameters. It included patients under treatment for at least 2 months that benefited from 3 to 5 educational and psychological support sessions. Data were collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months. In all, 50 patients were included. The mean age was 38 years; 52% were illiterate and 62% unemployed. Adherence scores were high at baseline (98%) and showed no significant change throughout the study. Knowledge of HAART and HIV/AIDS, and quality of life improved significantly both at months 3 and 6. Significant increase for CD4 count rates and decrease for viral load rates were also reported. The program had no significant impact on adherence but substantively developed patients' knowledge of HIV/AIDS and HAART and improved their quality of life.
Subject(s)
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Developing Countries , HIV Infections/drug therapy , Medication Adherence/psychology , Patient Education as Topic/methods , Adult , Counseling , Educational Status , Female , HIV Infections/psychology , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Morocco , Patient Care Team , Patient Medication Knowledge , Quality of LifeABSTRACT
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a multisystem autoimmune disease with protean manifestations, occurs with neuropsychiatric manifestations in
Subject(s)
Adrenal Cortex Hormones/therapeutic use , Antirheumatic Agents/therapeutic use , Cyclophosphamide/therapeutic use , Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/complications , Myelitis, Transverse/complications , Myelitis, Transverse/drug therapy , Female , Humans , Young AdultABSTRACT
Neurological signs are observed in 20-50% of cases of Wegener's granulomatosis consisting of peripheral and cranial neuropathy, and central nervous system involvement during the disease and rarely as initial symptom. We report here a case of thoracic spinal cord compression due to dural masses in a patient with a previous presumptive diagnosis of microscopic polyangiitis indicating Wegener's granulomatosis on histological examination. No other site of involvement was found. Slight clinical improvement was observed under immunosuppressive treatment probably because of spinal cord vessels lesions.
