Results from a recent study suggest that HIV severity is associated with the severity of some mental health problems and academic, cognitive, and social impairments in teens born with HIV.

The researchers noted that this study alone does not allow conclusions to be drawn about the causes of the associations identified in the study. However, they argued that their results suggested that certain developmental and academic problems are common in children and teens with HIV, even well-controlled HIV.

They also noted that mental health and coping issues of children’s primary…

Researchers investigating HIV patient-doctor communication found that clinicians often speak more than their patients do on all topics, including treatment adherence. The researchers also found that physicians tend to use more closed or leading questions than open ones; make relatively few attempts to determine a patient’s goals, wishes, or values; and are dominant in conversations.

The study authors found that this was especially true in discussions concerning antiretroviral adherence.

“Half the time people don’t take their meds as prescribed, whether it’s antiretrovirals or antihypertensives [high blood pressure medication] or diabetes…

A small study suggests that the different roles HIV-positive women play in society can influence how they manage their disease. In particular, the findings indicate that women who are mothers, faith believers, pet owners, or AIDS advocates often cope better with HIV/AIDS.

“Women [with HIV] should consider how the various social roles they have can help them manage their chronic disease, and communicate that with their health care team,” said  Allison Webel, an instructor of nursing at the Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing at Case Western Reserve University, and lead…

Results from a recent large study indicate that current or recent protease inhibitor use does not increase the risk of stroke or sudden death in people with HIV. However, the researchers did find a small increased risk over time with longer exposure to protease inhibitors.

Based on their results, the study authors recommended future studies to look for links between individual protease inhibitors and increased risk of death. However, they also noted that deaths are rare, which makes it difficult to find such links even if they exist.

According to…

Results from a recent Swiss study indicate that the higher risk of developing lung cancer in people with HIV compared to the general population arises from heavy smoking, not HIV infection.

Based on the results, the study authors recommended implementing strategies to reduce smoking, and therefore lung cancer risk, in HIV-positive adults.

The study authors also speculated that links between lung cancer and HIV or immune deficiency in previous studies were caused by overrepresentation of people with advanced HIV infections in lung cancer studies or accidental inclusion of cancers known…