RESOURCE CENTRE

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Since 2000 approximately what proportion of the participants of clinical trials of antiretroviral therapies have been women?

The correct answer was: 20%

This poll received 111 votes

20% - 55 votes (50%)

40% - 37 votes (33%)

66% - 19 votes (17%)

To date women have been poorly represented in HIV clinical trials. A recent meta-analysis reported that since 2000 only 20% of participants in clinical trials of antiretroviral therapies have been women and that the proportion of women enrolled in such studies has declined in the past 8 years (Struble et al, 2009). As there are data to suggest that women do not respond in the same way to the disease or its treatment as men (Collazos et al 2007), there is an urgent need for more women need to be included in clinical studies of HIV management.
Women for Positive Action has developed an educational slide kit on ‘Women and clinical trials in HIV’ (please visit our ‘Resource Centre’) which reviews the differential responses to therapy and difference in inclusion rates in clinical trials between men and women with HIV. It also discusses the factors behind the under-representation of women in clinical trials and the importance of enrolling and retaining women in such studies. The slide kit is intended for use by healthcare professionals, community representatives and patients who want to create or participate in learning opportunities relating to improving the care of women living with HIV.

References:
Collazos J, et al. Sex differences in the clinical, immunological and virological parameters of HIV-infected patients treated with HAART. AIDS 2007;21:835–43.

Struble K, Soon G, Min M, et al. Meta-analysis of efficacy outcomes for treatment-naïve and treatment experienced HIV-infected women in randomized controlled clinical trials (2000-2008).16th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections. Montréal, Canada, February 8-11, 2009. Poster 987b.