Prevalence of mental distress and factors associated with symptoms of major depression among people living with HIV in Norway.

For people living with HIV (PLHIV) who can access lifesaving treatment, HIV has become a chronic lifelong condition; however, PLHIV have more mental and somatic comorbidities than their HIV-negative peers. In this cross-sectional study, we assessed the prevalence of mental distress and identified factors associated with major depression among 244 well-treated PLHIV residing in Norway. Participants completed validated questionnaires covering mental and somatic health.

Factors associated with health-related quality of life in people living with HIV in Norway.

Background: Despite the advances in the treatment of HIV, people living with HIV (PLHIV) still experience impairment of health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The aim of the study was to explore factors associated with HRQOL in a well-treated Norwegian HIV population.

Methods: Two hundred and forty-five patients were recruited from two outpatient clinics to participate in this cross-sectional study of addiction, mental distress, post-traumatic stress disorder, fatigue, somatic health, and HRQOL.

Prevalence and predictors of fatigue among people living with HIV in Norway.

Fatigue is the most commonly noted symptom among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV). The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and predictors of fatigue among PLHIV in Norway. Two hundred and forty-four people were recruited from two hospitals to participate in a survey, which contained seven instruments used to investigate mental health, addiction, quality of life, and fatigue.

Assessing alcohol use and smoking among patients admitted to the medical ward.

Background: The objective of the study was to investigate the incidence of risky alcohol consumption in patients admitted to medical wards, and to examine possible differences in how smoking habits and alcohol consumption are assessed and monitored by health personnel.

Material And Method: The study was conducted on medical wards at Southern Norway Hospital Trust in autumn 2013. Out of 998 patients who were successively admitted, 536 were included in the analysis.

True User Involvement by People Living With HIV is Possible: Description of a User-driven HIV Clinic in Norway.

The Greater Involvement of People Living with or Affected by HIV principle highlights the various contributions HIV-infected people can make in HIV program development and implementation. We present a unique example of how service users' involvement led to a complete organizational redesign of an outpatient HIV clinic in Southern Norway. We applied a user-driven, case study method, which showed that establishing a user board laid the foundation for the redesign process, as the board provided a clear infrastructure of user involvement and developed a set of user-defined targets for services.

[Short-term treatment of Hepatitis C in heroin-dependent patients].

Background: Standardized treatment (24-week) with pegylated interferon and ribavirin induces sustained virological response in 80 % of patients with Hepatitis C (HCV) genotype 2 or 3. Most patients who are dependent on heroin and receiving methadone maintenance therapy (MMT) have been excluded from this treatment due to concerns about compliance. Short-term therapy (14 weeks) of other patient groups have shown promising results.