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Massimo Fantoni

Publications and source records attributed to Massimo Fantoni.

4 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed2003

Neurocognitive performance and quality of life in patients with HIV infection.

We examined the relationship of HIV-related cognitive impairment and health-related quality of life (QoL). Subjects were administered measures of cognitive function (a battery of 17 neuropsychological tests) and of QoL (the MOS-HIV questionnaire). Study measures also included comprehensive clinical and neurological evaluation, laboratory testing, and brain imaging studies in patients with impaired neuropsychological evaluation. One-hundred and eleven subjects were examined. Cognitively impaired patients (33.3%) reported poorer QoL scores in all domains (p < 0.05): physical health summary score (PHS) (44.6 vs. 49.9), mental health summary score (MHS) (37.7 vs. 44.4), pain (67.6 vs. 79.4), physical functioning (75.9 vs. 87.7), role functioning (32.4 vs. 41.5), social functioning (70.3 vs. 83.5), mental health (48.2 vs. 61.0), energy (53.1 vs. 63.0), health distress (60.8 vs. 75.5), cognitive functioning (CF) (60.5 vs. 71.8), general health perceptions (29.2 vs. 43.4), and QoL (36.5 vs. 47.0). The number of altered neuropsychological tests correlated significantly with MHS (p < 0.001), PHS (p < 0.03), CF (p < 0.02), and QoL (p < 0.02) scores. A correlation between seven of seven neuropsychological measures exploring speed of mental processing, three of four exploring mental flexibility, four of six exploring memory, and two of two exploring fine motor functioning and MHS, PHS, CF, or QoL scores was also found. Poor performance on the Digit Symbol test was most strongly associated with poor MHS (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, p < 0.009) and PHS (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.01-1.08, p < 0.01) scores, controlling for CD4 count, previous AIDS diagnosis, receiving HAART, and drug abuse. Cognitive impairment is associated with poor QoL. People with more severe cognitive impairment have the highest probability of having a poor QoL. Cognitive impairment in any cognitive domain explored in our battery is also associated with poor QoL. Poor performance on the Digit Symbol Test is the strongest predictor of poor QoL.

AIDS Dementia Complex↗
PubMed2003

Evaluation and management of metabolic and coagulative disorders in HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy.

A number of metabolic disorders, including hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, insulin resistance, elevated fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus, were reported in a high proportion of HIV-infected patients receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Less frequently, coagulative disorders were described in patients receiving HAART. Since all these metabolic disorders may predispose to coronary heart disease, an early evaluation and treatment is advisable. Existing guidelines for uninfected patients may be applied, taking into account, however, the potential for drug interactions and accumulated toxicity. It may be helpful to stratify all patients in three risk groups to plan regular diagnostic screening. Treatment of dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus should include a first-line approach with non-pharmacological interventions. Statins and fibrates are proposed for HIV-infected patients with HAART-related hyperlipidemia, but concern has been raised on their potential for interaction with antiretrovirals and hepatic and muscle toxicity. Metformin and thiazolidenediones (or glitazones), hypoglycemic agents that increase insulin sensitivity, are presently under evaluation in diabetic and glucose-intolerant HIV-infected patients treated with HAART. Glitazones also have a potential for ameliorating the lipodystrophic syndrome. The routine evaluation of coagulative parameters is probably not advisable until a benefit of widespread screening is assessed in prospective studies. A heightened awareness of the possiblity of coagulative disorders, together with controlled trials and basic research, is needed.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗
PubMed2002

Metabolic disorders and cardiovascular risk in HIV-infected patients treated with antiretroviral agents.

The clinical management of HIV-infected individuals is based on highly active antiretroviral combination therapy, which provides significant clinical benefit in most patients, but causes in a high proportion of them a metabolic syndrome that includes body fat redistribution, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and insulin resistance. These effects are particularly evident in patients treated with protease inhibitors. It is likely that the metabolic disorders related to anti-HIV treatment will eventually translate into an increased cardiovascular risk in patients submitted to such regimens.

Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active↗