Perceived HIV-related physical fatigue, sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity: A cross-sectional study.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To get a deeper understanding of correlates of perceived HIV-related fatigue by exploring its associations with sociodemographic characteristics and physical activity level of HIV-infected people. BACKGROUND: Previous studies on HIV-related fatigue have mainly focused on physiological and psychological characteristics, but few have considered its associations with sociodemographic variables. In addition, while physical activity has been found to reduce acute fatigue among HIV-infected people, its links with chronic HIV-related fatigue remain to be explored. DESIGN: The study employed an observational and cross-sectional survey design. The manuscript was organised according to STROBE guidelines. METHOD: A total of 560 people living with HIV in France completed a measure of perceived physical fatigue using the Fatigue Intensity Scale. The predictors targeted sociodemographic characteristics and two measures of individuals' reported level of physical activity. Data were analysed by a stepwise multiple regression model. RESULTS: The results showed that lower age, higher physical activity level and socio-economic status were significantly associated with reduced perceived physical fatigue, explaining 25% of the variance. CONCLUSIONS: The results highlighted the importance of considering sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics to better characterise HIV-related fatigue, in particular in an era where HIV as a chronic illness challenges questions of quality of life throughout increasingly longer lifespans. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The results of this study have implications for HIV care professionals in terms of improving strategies for managing chronic fatigue or promoting physical activity according to more specific profiles of HIV-infected people.

The effect of ketoconazole on whole blood and skin ciclosporin concentrations in dogs.

BACKGROUND: Ciclosporin (CSA) is approved for the treatment of canine atopic dermatitis. Ciclosporin is metabolized by liver cytochrome P450 enzymes, a process inhibited by ketoconazole (KTZ). HYPOTHESIS/OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to determine skin and blood CSA concentrations when CSA was administered alone at 5.0 (Treatment 1) or 2.5 mg/kg (Treatment 2) and when CSA was administered at 2.5 mg/kg concurrently with KTZ at 5 (Treatment 3) or 2.5 mg/kg (Treatment 4). We hypothesized that skin and blood CSA concentrations in Treatment 1 would not differ from those obtained with T3 or T4. ANIMALS: In a randomized cross-over study, six healthy research dogs received each of the treatments (Treatment 1, 2, 3 and 4) once daily for 7 days. METHODS: After the first, fourth and seventh dose for each treatment, a peak and trough skin punch biopsy sample and whole blood sample were collected and analysed with high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Data were analysed using a repeated measures approach with PROC MIXED in SAS. Pairwise comparisons were performed with least squares means and Tukey-Kramer adjustment for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Mean blood CSA concentrations in Treatment 1 were not different from those in Treatment 2 or 4, but were less than in Treatment 3. Mean skin CSA concentrations in Treatment 1 were greater than in Treatment 2, not different from those in Treatment 4, and less than those in Treatment 3. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL IMPORTANCE: Administration of CSA and KTZ concurrently at 2.5 mg/kg each may be as effective as CSA alone at 5.0 mg/kg for treatment of canine atopic dermatitis.