Prevalence and risk factors of squamous intraepithelial lesions of the cervix among HIV-infected women - a long-term follow-up study in a low-prevalence population.

HIV-infected women have high risk for precancerous lesions of the uterine cervix. We studied the prevalence and risk factors of squamous intraepithelial lesions (SIL) among systematically followed HIV-infected women enrolled from a population with low HIV prevalence. The study population consisted of 108 HIV-infected women enrolled between 1989 and 2003 with a mean follow-up 4.

Cervical squamous intraepithelial lesions in HIV-infected women: prevalence, incidence and regression. European Study Group on Natural History of HIV Infection in Women.

Objectives: To assess the impact of HIV-related immunodeficiency and antiretroviral treatment on the occurrence and evolution of abnormal Papanicolaou tests.

Study Design: Cohort of 485 HIV-infected women with a known date of infection, enrolled during May 1993-April 1998 in 23 centres (gynaecology, infectious disease or STD clinics, or drug treatment centres) in 12 European countries; in 21 centres, follow-up was performed every 6 months (median follow-up: 2 years).

Methods: Human papillomavirus (HPV) was detected at inclusion by Southern blot and PCR.

Oral guar gum, a gel-forming dietary fiber relieves pruritus in intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Background: Guar gum is a gel-forming fiber, which increases fecal elimination of bile acids. It may therefore be beneficial in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Methods: Forty-eight patients with intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy were randomized double-blind to receive either guar gum or placebo until delivery.