The efficacy and toxicity of azidothymidine (AZT) in the treatment of patients with AIDS and AIDS-related complex (ARC): an open uncontrolled treatment study.

The efficacy and toxicity of oral azidothymidine has been studied in 145 patients with the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). The median survival time of AIDS patients on azidothymidine was 4.5 times higher when compared to a historical AIDS group who had not received the drug.

Severe exercise hypoxaemia with normal or near normal X-rays: a feature of Pneumocystis carinii infection.

To find out whether Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) can be detected while still in an early phase by the degree of exercise-induced oxygen desaturation, arterial oxygen saturation was measured by continuous pulse oximetry in patients positive for antibody to the human immunodeficiency virus and clinically suspected of having PCP, in patients with other chest diseases, and in controls. Among patients with proven PCP 94% of those with low arterial oxygen pressures (PaO2) showed desaturation on exercise oximetry, as did 80% of those with a normal oxygen pressure at rest, whereas only 10% of patients with other chest disorders and HIV disease showed significant desaturation.

Controversies about guidelines to prevent the transmission of human immunodeficiency virus in hospitals in Britain.

The widespread screening of donors of blood, organs and semen for HIV antibody has contributed greatly to the prevention of spread of HIV to patients in British hospitals. The chances of patients acquiring HIV from a contaminated blood transfusion are now estimated at less than 1 in 1 million and factor VIII for haemophiliacs, which is also heat treated, is now virtually always free of HIV contamination. However, the wider use of HIV antibody tests to identify infected patients and rationalize the application of additional 'inoculation risk' precautions, so as to protect staff, is controversial.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation for pain relief following inguinal hernia repair: a controlled trial.

The efficacy of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) in relieving postoperative pain has been assessed by means of a prospective randomized controlled trial in 62 male patients undergoing unilateral inguinal herniorrhaphy. Thirty-four patients received TENS and 28 patients received sham TENS for 48 h after the operation. Pain was assessed by means of linear analogue pain scales, analgesic requirements and peak expiratory flow readings.