With the use of antiretroviral therapy, what was once considered a terminal disease is now becoming a chronic condition. According to a large data study published in PLoSOne in 2013, benefiting from advances in combination antiretroviral therapy, a 20-year-old person with HIV in the United States or Canada who receives treatment is expected to live up to 70 years. So how has life expectancy changed for people with HIV in this country? With the longer life expectancy of the disease, what are the issues that clinicians need to focus on in terms of treatment?
1.Harm of AIDS to human body
①Patients who do not receive ART have a high rate of death from disease, with an average life expectancy of about 10 years.
②The main causes of death are opportunistic infections and non-AIDS related diseases.
2.Change of life expectancy of AIDS patients today
①HAART is effective in preventing all kinds of opportunistic infections and non-AIDS related diseases.
②HAART both prolongs the life expectancy of patients and improves the quality of life.
③Regulated antiretroviral therapy can make the life expectancy of HIV patients similar to that of the general population.
3. Factors that make patients live longer
①Obtaining standardized treatment.
②Maintain good adherence.
4.As patients live longer, clinicians need to pay attention to the treatment issues
①The fluctuation of patient compliance.
②Chronic diseases that occur with age.
③Patient psychological changes.
④In addition to CD4 and VL, changes in other clinical test results need to be paid attention to.
5. The impact of lifelong medication on patients’ quality of life
①Any drug taken for life has side effects.
②Doctors should scientifically guide patients to understand the pros and cons of drugs.
③Physicians should monitor and address drug side effects in a timely and active manner.
④Ensure good patient compliance to achieve good outcomes.