Marília Cruz Guttier

Factors associated with therapeutic success in HIV-positive individuals in southern Brazil

Therapeutic success is characterized by undetectable viral load, immune reconstitution confirmed by CD4+ T‐cell count and no clinical manifestations of disease. High treatment adherence is a major determinant of therapeutic success that needs prevention of viral replication, allowing immune reconstitution. Adherence to treatment <95% has been associated with both immune and viral failure. The objective of this study was to evaluate factors associated with therapeutic success in adult patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a specialized centre for HIV‐AIDS in southern Brazil, being defined therapeutic success as achieving and maintaining undetectable viral load, stable immune status (CD4+ T lymphocyte count ≥200 cells/mm3) and adherence to HAART ≥ 95%.

Long-term immune and virological response in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy.

The trajectory of HIV viral load and CD4 count and the occurrence of clinical events are primary considerations in the evaluation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) success or failure, yet a large number of studies do not describe these events from the point of therapy initiation. This study aims to describe the virological and immune response to ART and factors associated with immune and virological success in outpatients from a HIV/AIDS clinic in southern Brazil from therapy initiation.

Avaliação da Assistência Farmacêutica em um município no Sul do Brasil

Introduction: Well-planned and executed pharmaceutical services (PS) are important for proper treatment of the populations health needs, thus enabling the access to essential drugs and promoting their rational use. Objective: To assess the situation of PS in the city of Uruguaiana (State of Rio Grande do Sul), Brazil. Methods: This cross-sectional study was applied to 650 interviews between June and September of 2013 in 11 Basic Health Units (UBS) and in the Main Pharmacy of the city. The indicators of prescription, of patients care, and of service, were assessed according to the recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO).The Instrument of Self-Assessment for Pharmaceutical Services Planning (IAPAF) from the Brazilian Department of Health was used to assess the management and planning capacity of the PS, which was then applied in the Main Pharmacy and in the medicine stockroom. Results: The number of drugs per prescription varied from 1 to 10 (mean = 1.7). The percentages of prescribed drugs by generic name, and included in the City List of Essential Drugs (REMUME) were, respectively, 75.5 and 67.7%; antibiotics were prescribed in 9.7% of the medical appointments. The average time of medical appointment was 6 minutes; 51.4% of the users obtained their prescription; only 18.9% of the patients completely understood their prescriptions. Of the 24 items analyzed in the IAPAF, 12 were found in stage 1 (worst rating), 12 in stage 2, and none in stage 3 (ideal situation). Conclusion: Results seem to show the lack of PS in Uruguaiana with regard to planning, management, and patients care. The absence of effective management may result in waste and incorrect use of drugs.