Palliative care in the management of advanced HIV/AIDS

Prim Care. 2011 Jun;38(2):311-26, ix. doi: 10.1016/j.pop.2011.03.010.

Abstract

The basic elements of palliative care can be translated into practice for patients with HIV/AIDS. More than half of clinical events and deaths occurring among patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy are classified as non-AIDS illnesses. Thus, end-of-life care for patients with late-stage AIDS needs to include any palliative measures that are used for patients without AIDS. This article reviews the epidemiology of HIV/AIDS, prognostic indicators, opportunistic infections, specific AIDS-defining and non-AIDS-defining malignancies, substance abuse/liver disease, and highly active antiretroviral therapy and comfort measures for late-stage AIDS patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / therapy
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / complications*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / drug therapy*
  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / therapy
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic / complications
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / therapy
  • Humans
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Palliative Care / methods*
  • Prognosis
  • Substance-Related Disorders / complications
  • Substance-Related Disorders / drug therapy
  • Terminally Ill*