Results remain the same among HIV-positive male, female patients

A recent study has found no gender differences among participants who used a potential HIV-fighting medication, according to findings published in the journal Annals of Internal Medicine.

A total 429 participants were accepted into the trial based on their previous involvement in HIV therapy research, which included 287 men and 142 women.

As a result of the medication use, the team found no differences between the results experienced by men and women who completed the entire trial. However, more female participants dropped out of the study than male participants.

Judith Currier, lead author of the study, stated that "it is critical that women are involved in clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of new treatment - not just for HIV but for all diseases." Currier and her team concluded that "the higher discontinuation rate in women, which was driven by reasons other than virologic failure, highlights the need for additional efforts to retain diverse populations in studies."

In 2006, approximately 1.1 million people in the U.S. were living with HIV, and 21 percent of these Americans were undiagnosed, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports.