title: [Adjuvant corticoid administration within the scope of HIV disease. Indications in wasting syndrome and other diseases within the scope of AIDS].
abstract: While at the start of the AIDS epidemic, corticosteroids were considered to be contraindicated, about 10 indications have since been identified for the specific use of glucocorticoids in HIV infection. Some of these indications have already been confirmed in controlled scientific studies, for example, pneumocystis carinii pneumonia or HIV-induced high-grade non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. In the case of other indications, for example, cerebral toxoplasmosis or certain forms of the wasting syndrome, clinical observational studies and, in particular, empirical data provided by large groups working on AIDS, are available. The use of corticoids for such other indications as pulmonary involvement in the case of Kaposi's sarcoma, or thrombopenia in HIV patients, is still experimental. To date, the initially feared high rate of side effects due to the theoretically possible impairment of immunological function, has not been observed. The effect of the corticosteroids appears to be concentrated more in their anti-inflammatory action than in substitution in the event of adrenal insufficiency. The carefully considered and selective use of corticosteroids can both improve the quality of life and lengthen the life expectancy of many HIV victims.
authors.affiliation: KIS-Kuratorium für Immunschwäche, München.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Jäger
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D002100:Cachexia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D000075202:Contraindications; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005938:Glucocorticoids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D005938:Glucocorticoids
vernacular_title: Adjuvante Kortikoidgabe im Rahmen der HIV-Erkrankung. Indikationen beim Wasting-Syndrom und anderen Erkrankungen im Rahmen von AIDS.