Factors influencing the normalization of CD4+ T-cell count, percentage and CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio in HIV-infected patients on long-term suppressive antiretroviral therapy.

We evaluated factors associated with normalization of the absolute CD4+ T-cell counts, per cent CD4+ T cells and CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio. A multicentre observational study was carried out in patients with sustained HIV-RNA <50 copies/mL. Outcomes were: CD4-count >500/mm(3) and multiple T-cell marker recovery (MTMR), defined as CD4+ T cells >500/mm(3) plus%CD4 T cells >29%plus CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio >1. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox regression analyses to predict odds for achieving outcomes were performed. Three hundred and fifty-two patients were included and followed-up for a median of 4.1 (IQR 2.1-5.9) years, 270 (76.7%) achieving a CD4+ T-cell count >500 cells/mm(3) and 197 (56%) achieving MTMR. Using three separate Cox models for both outcomes we demonstrated that independent predictors were: both absolute CD4+ and CD8+ T-cell counts, %CD4+ T cells, a higher CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio, and age. A likelihood-ratio test showed significant improvements in fitness for the prediction of either CD4+ >500/mm(3) or MTMR by multivariable analysis when the other immune markers at baseline, besides the absolute CD4+ count alone, were considered. In addition to baseline absolute CD4+ T-cell counts, pretreatment %CD4+ T cells and the CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratio influence recovery of T-cell markers, and their consideration should influence the decision to start antiretroviral therapy. However, owing to the small sample size, further studies are needed to confirm these results in relation to clinical endpoints.

Causes of death and risk factors among HIV-infected persons in the HAART era: analysis of a large urban cohort.

OBJECTIVE: We aimed to examine the clinical outcome in HIV-1-infected patients after more than 10 years of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). METHODS: We analyzed data from 1,236 treatment-naïve adults who had started HAART. The primary endpoint was the yearly prevalence of death for AIDS-related causes (ARC) or for non-AIDS related causes (non-ARC). The data from our cohort were compared with that of the general population (GP) of our region. RESULTS: We observed that 116 patients died, and 58.6% of deaths were non-ARC. The death incidence decreased from 18.8% in 1998-1999 to 1.2% in 2008-2009. The leading causes of death were malignancies (35.3%), infections (21.6%), end-stage liver diseases (18.1%), and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) (6.9%). Yearly death rates were similar in the HIV-infected cohort and in the crude GP (odds ratio [OR] 1.1, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.5-2.5), but when adjusted for age, HIV-infected patients showed a greater risk (OR 7.4, 95% CI 4.1-13.4). The difference was still highly significant when the analysis was restricted to non-ARCs (OR 4.3, 95% CI 2.07-9.2). Overall, malignancies (OR 5.7, 95% CI 2.6-12.8) and end-stage liver diseases (OR 35.0, 95% CI 15.5-78.8) were significantly more frequent than in the age-adjusted GP. CONCLUSIONS: Despite HAART, HIV-infected patients are at greater risk of death compared to a reference uninfected population.

[Carpal tunnel syndrome in handicraft planning]. / La sindrome del tunnel carpale nella panificazione artigianale.

The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in a group of bakers and to evaluate the presence of a biomechanical risk for upper limbs in the technological cycle. Health assessment (history, clinical examination, upper limbs electromyography) and risk evaluation through Check List OCRA (Occupational Repetitive Actions - Colombini / Occhipinti) have confirmed the initial hypothesis, placing this profession between those at risk for carpal tunnel syndrome.