Psychological impact of structured treatment interruptions in patients with prolonged undetectable HIV-1 viral loads.
Structured treatment interruption strategies may help overcome problems of highly active antiretroviral therapy, but might also represent a cause of stress. We present data that indicate a psychological benefit from structured treatment interruption. Although some disturbances appear at the resumption of therapy, no definitive problems are found that preclude such therapeutic approaches from a psychological perspective. However, a close follow-up of patients during interruption periods is advisable to avoid difficulties reported at treatment resumption presenting a risk to patients' health.
Tuldrà
A
A
Fundació Lluita SIDA-HIV Clinical Unit and IrsiCaixa Retrovirology Laboratory, Catalonia, Spain.
Fumaz
C R
CR
Ferrer
M J
MJ
Paredes
R
R
Romeu
J
J
Ruiz
L
L
Bayés
R
R
Clotet
B
B
D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000302:isolation & purification* / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D011788:Quality of Life; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D019562:Viral Load
D012367:RNA, Viral