Evidence-based pain guidelines in HIV care.

Despite advances in HIV treatment, pain continues to be a prevalent symptom experienced by persons living with HIV (PLWH) and is associated with sleep disturbance and lower quality of life. Ongoing assessments guide effective pain management. Substance abuse issues and concerns about diversion complicate pain treatment.

Development and evaluation of an inpatient [correction of impatient] holistic nursing care services department.

This paper describes the development and evaluation of a holistic nursing department at a 261-bed conventional, community hospital. Through the holistic nursing department, a nurse visits hospitalized inpatients. The visit might include complementary and alternative modalities (CAM) therapies, such as relaxation techniques, therapeutic touch, aromatherapy, and therapeutic suggestion.

Large clinical study shows value of therapeutic touch program.

Representing the largest published sample size of therapeutic touch (TT) outcomes to date, data from this continuous quality improvement (CQI) clinical study suggests that TT, when provided in the clinical setting, promotes comfort, calmness, and well-being among hospitalized patients. In addition, patients are highly satisfied with TT. The newly developed Patient Satisfaction Survey and TT Performance Improvement Tool provide an effective means by which to evaluate a TT program.

Pain and other symptoms in ambulatory HIV patients in the age of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

To determine whether and how highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has influenced the prevalence of pain and other symptoms experienced in persons with HIV disease, HIV+ patients at an urban outpatient clinic were asked to complete a symptom checklist before seeing a clinician. Among those who completed the checklists (N = 484), 68% reported at least one symptom and 96% of those reported more than one symptom. Almost half of this cohort reported symptoms with an intensity of 5 or greater, indicating symptoms of at least moderate to severe intensity.

The use of anabolic agents in HIV disease.

Anabolic steroids are synthetic analogues of the natural androgenic 'male' hormone called testosterone that is produced primarily in the testes in males and in the ovaries in females. Anabolic steroids and other agents are fast becoming part of the standard of care for HIV disease, gaining acceptance in reversing loss of lean body mass, increasing muscle strength, improving sexual functioning and appetite and creating a general sense of well-being. This article will review commonly prescribed anabolic agents, discuss potential side effects and contraindications.