Glossary

anaemia – shortage of oxygen-carrying red blood cells

clinical cut-off (CCO) – a test result that is associated with an impact on clinical care. With resistance tests a lower CCO is the level below which a drug is still sensitive or active. This is often set at a 20% loss of activity (compared to wild-type HIV). An upper CCO is the level above which the drug is not considered active (ie resistant). This is often set at an 80% loss of activity (compared to wild-type HIV).

epoetin-alpha (EPO) – a treatment for anaemia, given by injection. Used to reduce side effect of hepatitis C treatment.

Peripheral arterial disease refers to a narrowing or hardening (atherosclerosis) in the arteries in the arms or legs.

See: atherosclerosis

randomise – in research, this is a way of decide at random which participants join each group. So neither you or your doctor chose which group you join in a research study. A common example is that the decision would be made similar to tossing a coin.

More information from the i-Base guide to HIV research.