Since publication in 2000 of APA's Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With HIV/ AIDS (1), new evidence has become available that affects the psychiatric care of patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). This guideline watch highlights this evidence for the following areas: epidemiology, antiretroviral medication regimens, HIV-associated cognitive-motor disorders, treatment of psychiatric disorders and conditions when comorbid with HIV infection, hepatitis C virus (HCV) and HIV coinfection, and metabolic syndrome and lipodystrophy.

The American Psychiatric Association (APA) practice guidelines are developed by expert work groups using an explicit methodology that includes rigorous review of available evidence, broad peer review of iterative drafts, and formal approval by the APA Assembly and Board of Trustees. APA practice guidelines are intended to assist psychiatrists in clinical decision making. They are not intended to be a standard of care. The ultimate judgment regarding a particular clinical procedure or treatment plan must be made by the psychiatrist in light of the clinical data presented by the patient and the diagnostic and treatment options available. Guideline watches summarize significant developments in practice since publication of an APA practice guideline. Watches may be authored and reviewed by experts associated with the original guideline development effort and are approved for publication by APA's Executive Committee on Practice Guidelines. Thus, watches represent opinion of the authors and approval of the Executive Committee but not policy of the APA. This guideline watch was published in April 2006. Copyright © 2006 American Psychiatric Association. All rights reserved. Suggested citation: Forstein M, Cournos F, Douaihy A, Goodkin K, Wainberg ML, Wapenyi KH: Guideline Watch: Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With HIV/ AIDS. Arlington, VA: American Psychiatric Association, 2006. Available online at http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/pg/prac_guide.cfm.