Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:
- Explain risks and benefits of early therapy, that is, initiating antiretroviral therapy in patients with CD4+ cell counts ≥ 350 cells/mm3
- Describe strategies for building antiretroviral regimens for patients with baseline drug resistance
- Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of novel strategies (ie, other than 2 NRTIs plus a boosted PI or NNRTI) for first-line therapy
- Summarize special considerations when caring for pregnant HIV-infected patients and patients older than 50 years of age
- Cite evidence that helps guide the appropriate approach to patients with metabolic disorders, particularly hyperlipidemia and renal disease
- Recount data about the use of newer agents in first-line therapy
Topics covered include:
- Risks and Benefits of Early Therapy
- Education for Patients Who Are Distrustful of Conventional Medicine
- Planning Therapy for Patients With Transmitted Drug Resistance
- Role of Newer Agents in First-line Therapy and Switch Strategies
- New Paradigms for First-Line Therapy
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Pregnant Patients
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Patients Over 50 Years of Age
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Substance Abusers Taking Methadone
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Hyperlipidemia and Heart Disease
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Patients With Hepatitis B
- Initiating Therapy in Special Populations: Patients With Cancer