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Evaluation of the Efficacy And Toxicity of RNAs Targeting HIV-1 Production for Use in Gene or Drug Therapy
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Are cannabinoids effective for HIV wasting syndrome?
Alejandra Núñez1, Carolina Núñez2, Oscar Corsi2
1Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile; Proyecto Epistemonikos, Santiago, Chile.
Medwave
|December 23, 2017
Summary
Cannabinoids may not effectively treat HIV wasting syndrome. Evidence is very low certainty, and frequent adverse effects are probable, questioning their safety and efficacy for weight gain.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical nutrition
- Pharmacology
Background:
- HIV-associated wasting syndrome is a significant clinical issue.
- Cannabinoids are proposed for managing weight loss in HIV patients.
- Evidence regarding cannabinoid safety and efficacy for HIV wasting is limited.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of cannabinoids for HIV wasting syndrome.
- To assess the safety profile of cannabinoids in this patient population.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of evidence using the Epistemonikos database.
- Inclusion of multiple databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane).
- Data extraction from systematic reviews and reanalysis of primary studies using GRADE methodology.
Main Results:
- Eight systematic reviews comprising ten studies were identified.
- Six of these studies were randomized controlled trials.
- The certainty of evidence for cannabinoid efficacy was very low.
Conclusions:
- It remains unclear if cannabinoids improve appetite or weight in HIV wasting syndrome.
- Cannabinoids are associated with frequent adverse effects.
- Further high-quality research is needed to clarify the role of cannabinoids.
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