Minerva

A direct comparison of continuous antiviral treatment for HIV infected people in India with structured interrupted antiviral treatment reports that the primary end point of maintaining a CD4 count of more than 200×10⁶ cells/l at six and 12 months was achieved by both groups. The secondary end points were effective viral suppression, adverse events, and cost. One patient in the continuous therapy group and two in the interrupted group sustained a plasma viral load of more than 400×10³ copies/l. No serious adverse events or deaths were reported, and a 50% reduction in costs was seen with interrupted therapy (AIDS Care 2007;19:507-13 doi: 10.1080/09540120701213849).

Irritable bowel syndrome is sometimes treated in Saudi Arabia with hypnotherapy. A small study involving 26 patients showed that, after 12 sessions of hypnotherapy administered over 12 weeks, patients' quality of life had improved significantly, but more in the men than the women. In particular, dissatisfaction with bowel habits was …