Study follows PEP for sexual exposures
Study follows PEP for sexual exposures
The first study to look at the use of postexposure prophylaxis (PEP) for possible sexual and dirty needle exposures is following more than 100 people who have opted for the preventive therapy. Conducted in San Francisco since November 1997, the study has followed 151 patients, evaluating how they were exposed and how they are treated.
"Our study is the first to describe a number of fundamental aspects of PEP," says James Kahn, MD, lead researcher and associate professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. "We know some doctors are prescribing antiretroviral therapy for HIV exposure to their patients, but they are not collecting the vital data needed to understand the implications."
At three study-sponsored clinics, patients who believe they have been exposed to HIV are tested for HIV, counseled about their risk, and advised on the pros and cons of PEP drugs. The most common regimen is two drugs given for four weeks, the researchers note.
So far, the study has found only a handful of patients who are repeaters for treatment, indicating that the availability of PEP doesn't discourage safe-sex practices as feared.
Other findings of the study:
· Nearly all exposures were sexual in nature, anal intercourse being the most common mode. Only one of the study participants came in for exposure through shared drug equipment.
· About half the patients knew that their partners were HIV-positive.
· All but six people decided to receive treatment. Nine patients returned for repeat PEP treatment.
· So far no patient has become infected after 28 days of treatment.
· The average time from exposure to coming to the clinic was 58 hours. (Most experts believe PEP must be administered within 48 hours to be most effective.)
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