Palliative Care in patients with HIV/AIDS: an integrative review

Abstract

Introduction: The HIV/AIDS virus emerged in the early 1980s in the United States of America, and its most aggressive form is Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS), known worldwide as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS). Its main focus is the weakening of the human body's immune system, using RNA as genetic material, which in turn uses T cells (CD4) to multiply. Palliative care, together with multidisciplinary treatment, can prolong the survival of patients with HIV/AIDS and maintain aspects of quality of life. Objective: To identify in the scientific literature the relevance of palliative care for patients with HIV/AIDS and contribute to your quality of life. Method: Integrative review, with the following guiding question: "How can palliative care improve the quality of life of patients with HIV/AIDS?" The search was conducted in the LILACS, MEDLINE, BDENF, IBECS, CUMED, SciELO, MEDLINE, SCOPUS, Web of Science, and APA databases from January 2014 to October 2024, using the descriptors “Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome”, “HIV”, and “Palliative Care”. Results: A total of 1,784 articles were identified and, after applying the exclusion criteria, 9 articles were used for the search. The articles were divided into five thematic classes: Taboos involving HIV/AIDS; Psychosocial support; End-of-life care; Treatment adherence; Importance of the multidisciplinary team. Conclusion: The results of this study highlight the urgency of more effective public policies and a holistic approach to improve treatment adherence and quality care for these patients, as well as the urgent need to expand the dissemination of this topic and encourage more publications that address the issue of early palliative care in depth.