Effects of hepatitis C virus infection on menopause status and symptoms.

Objective: To examine the relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection with menopause status and vasomotor symptoms among middle-aged, impoverished women.

Methods: The baseline interview and laboratory data from a study on menopause were used for a cross-sectional analysis of HCV antibody and HCV-RNA levels and their relationship to menopause status and symptoms, using logistic regression. For HCV-infected and HCV-uninfected women, menopause status was defined according to the World Health Organization criteria.

Use of complementary and alternative medicine in inner-city persons with or at risk for HIV infection.

Previous studies have shown that use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is prevalent among HIV-infected persons, but have focused primarily on men who have sex with men. To determine factors associated with CAM use in an inner city population, individuals (n = 93) recruited from two established cohort studies were interviewed between October and November 2004. The interview assessed the use of dietary supplements and other CAM therapies, reasons for CAM use, and use of prescription medications.

Factors affecting reproductive hormones in HIV-infected, substance-using middle-aged women.

Objective: To determine whether reproductive hormone levels are affected by human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and drug use.

Design: HIV-infected and uninfected women (N=429), median age 45, were interviewed on menstrual frequency, demographic and psychosocial characteristics, and drug use behaviors. Serum was obtained on cycle days 1 to 5 in women reporting regular menses.

Bacterial pneumonia, HIV therapy, and disease progression among HIV-infected women in the HIV epidemiologic research (HER) study.

Background: To determine the rate and predictors of community-acquired bacterial pneumonia and its effect on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease progression in HIV-infected women, we performed a multiple-site, prospective study of HIV-infected women in 4 cities in the United States.

Methods: During the period of 1993-2000, we observed 885 HIV-infected and 425 HIV-uninfected women with a history of injection drug use or high-risk sexual behavior. Participants underwent semiannual interviews, and CD4+ lymphocyte count and viral load were assessed in HIV-infected subjects.

Menopause symptoms in HIV-infected and drug-using women.

Objective: To examine the association of HIV infection, drug use, and psychosocial stressors with type and frequency of menopause symptoms.

Design: In a cross-sectional study, HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected midlife women underwent standardized interviews on menopause status and symptoms, demographic characteristics, depressive symptoms, negative life events, and substance abuse. Body mass index (BMI), HIV serostatus, and CD4 count were measured.

Quality of life in young urban children: does asthma make a difference?

The purpose of this study was to determine whether asthma status and severity have an impact on the quality of life of urban elementary school children. Participants were 1292 caregiver-child dyads from six schools serving low-income, ethnic minority, urban families; 53% of the children were female. Caregivers provided data on the children's asthma diagnosis and frequency in the last 12 months of asthma symptoms, use of medication for asthma, emergency room visits, and hospitalizations.

Gender and hospitalization patterns among HIV-infected drug users before and after the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy.

We examined highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era and pre-HAART era hospitalization rates among 604 HIV-infected drug users in a prospective study in Bronx, New York. Medical history and risk behaviors were elicited by semiannual interviews. Standardized medical record review abstracted discharge diagnoses for all hospitalizations.

Implementation of expedited human immunodeficiency virus testing of women delivering infants in a large New York city hospital.

Objective: Since August 1999, New York has required expedited human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing of pregnant women in labor or their newborns, with results available within 48 hours if no intrapregnancy test result was available. We documented the frequency and circumstances of expedited HIV testing, the time required for a result to be available, and hospital factors associated with different intervals.

Methods: We conducted chart reviews for women listed in the expedited HIV testing logbook between October 1, 2000 and December 31, 2000, abstracting prenatal care history and the dates and times of hospital admission, blood specimen collection, expedited HIV testing result availability, and the infant's birth.