Vittorio Agnoletto(1) Lital Hollander (2) G. Calvi (3) R. Pascale (4) L. Serragli (5) G. Leaci (6) J. Leaci (7) C. Bassani (2)
(1) c/o Lila Viale Tibaldi 41 20136 Milano; (2) Centro Studi Lila Nazionale Milano; (3) RCS
Milano; (4) ASA Milano; (5) Alfaomega Mantova; (6) ALA Milano; (7) Gruppo Abele Torino,Italy Abs. 42378
 

Background:
A previous pilot investigation (430 respondents), revealed a frequent use of complementary therapies (48.1%) among PLWHA in Italy. The present study, funded by the Istituto Superiore di Sanita of the Italian Health Ministry, aimed at better defining the use of these therapies in relation to: demographic, clinical and treatment profile of users, therapies used, safety and efficacy on specific indications or QoL parameters.

Methods:
An anonymous, self-compilated questionnaire with structured answers, distributed to Italian PLWHA by volunteers of 5 Italian NGOs. Study sample was stratified according to geographical distribution, age, and sex on the basis of official statistics regarding the AIDS population.

Results:
In summer 1997, 1312 questionnaires were obtained, of which 50.1% were collected in healthcare structures and 34.7% in NGOs. Demographic and clinical characteristics of the study sample (geography, sex distribution: 64.4% males, 34.4% females, >50% infected by IV drug-use etc.) were revealed as reflecting the Italian cohort of people living with HIV. Quality of care parameters: 58.3% of respondents were treated with antiRetroviral drugs although 8% still used NRTI monotherapy and 61% were unaware of their current viral loads. 36.1% of respondents were users, ex-users or potential users of complementary therapies; this use was accentuated among symptomatic subjects (39.9%), women (40.5%) and University graduates (52.5%). The therapies most utilised included: vitamins/antioxidants - 19.2%, homeopathy - 17.9%, mental techniques - 12.5%, herbal remedies - 11.5%. Reports on efficacy were collected from individuals in all stages of infection and regarded mainly: sense of well-being (39%), reduction of stress (26.9%), improvement of fatigue (23.5%), appetite (23%), sleep (20.9%), rash (13.5%), diarrhoea (12.6%), fever (11%). Safety results were satisfactory.

Conclusions:
Complementary therapies are a tool regarded valid by Italian PLWHA in all stages of disease. The range of therapies utilised is vast and often more then one therapy is used. Efficacy reports reveal that use is substantially complementary to antiRetroviral therapies and focus mainly on HIV-related symptoms, adverse events of conventional treatment and on parameters of quality of life.

Author-indicated categories:
Choice 1: Track B Clinical Science and Care, Other HIV Therapies, Alternative, complementary and traditional medicines

Choice 2: Track C Epidemiology, Prevention & Public Health, Natural History, Progression and Survival, Cofactors in disease progression, socioeconomic & behavioral