Health-related quality of life among military HIV patients on antiretroviral therapy

Health-Related Quality of Life in People with Advanced HIV Disease, from 1996 to 2021: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of advanced HIV disease (AHD) on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PLHIV, the changes in HRQoL outcomes over the last 25 years, and the differences between countries according to level of economic development. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. The search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science using the terms: "health-related quality of life", "HQRoL", "HIV", "AIDS", "advanced HIV disease" and "low CD4 cells". Studies inclusion criteria were: adult population; initiated after 1996 and published before July 2021; clinical trials, cross-sectional, cohort, and case-control studies; studies analyzing the relationship between AHD and HRQoL; English or Spanish language. Standardized mean differences (d+) were calculated to estimate the effect size for the meta-analyses. Summary statistics were calculated using a random-effects model, and analyses of effect moderators, using mixed-effects models. The meta-analysis included 38 studies. The results indicated that HRQoL is worse in patients with AHD compared to those without. The main HRQoL domains affected were overall health perception and concern and physical and functional health and symptoms. We found a moderate impact for age and gender on some HRQoL domains. There were no differences in relation to socioeconomic inequities, country of residence, or time period analyzed. In conclusion, advanced HIV disease has a negative impact on health and well-being in PLHIV. Our results show that despite all the advances in antiretroviral treatments over the last 25 years, AHD persists as a source of extreme vulnerability, regardless of where PLHIV live.

Psychosocial predictors of quality of life among women living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study in a VCT centre in Shiraz, Iran

PURPOSE

We aimed to assess psychosocial predictors of quality of life (QOL) among women living with HIV/AIDS (WLHIV). QOL has been considered as an important indicator in evaluating the outcome of psychological and physical healthcare in people living with HIV (PLHIV).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was carried out from October 2021 to April 2022 at the Voluntary, Counselling, and Testing (VCT) center in Shiraz, Iran. A total of 452 WLHIV were included in this study. Socio-demographic and clinical data, social support (MSPSS questionnaire), food insecurity (HFIAS questionnaire), resilience (CD-RISC questionnaire), mental health status (DASS questionnaire), and QOL (WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire) were collected through direct interviews and patients' files at Shiraz VCT.

RESULTS

Physical and social relationships domains of QOL had the highest (60.48 ± 18.00) and lowest (36.76 ± 23.88) scores, respectively. Higher clinical stage, psychotropic substances use, having a husband infected with HIV, history of hypertension, and higher socioeconomic status had a significant relationship with some domains of QOL. The score of social support, food insecurity, resilience, and mental health status had a significant relationship with all domains of QOL.

CONCLUSION

Social relationships domain of QOL had the lowest scores in WLHIV. Also, the mental health status of WLHIV was more related to their QOL than the physical status related to HIV/AIDS. Interventions such as improving the mental health care and resilience skills of WLHIV, including their social network in counseling services to promote their social support, could help them to improve their QOL.

Cardiometabolic Diseases and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Adults With HIV in the Deep South: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

The role of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) on physical health-related quality of life (P-HRQoL) and quality of sleep was examined among 261 PLWH ≥40 years, recruited from a university-affiliated HIV clinic in the Deep U.S. South. Using a cross-sectional study design, participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV; P-HRQoL) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The overall prevalence of self-reporting ≥1 CMD was 64.4%. P-HRQoL scores were lower in PLWH with ≥1 CMD compared with those with no CMDs (45.53 ± 11.54 vs. 49.67 ± 10.77, p <.01). Poor sleep quality was higher among participants with ≥1 CMD compared with those with no CMDs (9.28 ± 4.42 vs. 7.26 ± 4.17, p <.01). Each additional CMD resulted in a 1.83-point decrease in P-HRQoL and 0.74-point increase in poor sleep quality scores. Interventions that focus on targeting these quality-of-life domains in PLWH with CMDs are needed.

Health-Related Quality of Life and Coping Strategies in a Cohort Study of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Naïve Patients Adherence

OBJECTIVE

The main objective of this study was to describe the perceived quality of life (QoL) in patients living with AIDS (PLWA) and their chosen coping strategies in a cohort of individuals managed with HAART.

METHODS

This is a prospective cohort study conducted at the Medication Dispensing Unit of a university hospital (MDU-UH) located in southeastern Brazil. Study population comprised HIV/AIDS patients starting antiretroviral treatment at MDU. The final sample comprised 99 participants. Patients were followed up for 24 months from their recruitment. We used a face-to-face questionnaire to determine sociodemographic and behavioural variables. Quality of life (QoL) and coping strategies (CS) were measured through validated instruments.

RESULTS

Regarding the QoL dimensions, the general perception of QoL among these participants was considered good. Regarding CS, the adherent patients scored higher than the nonadherents.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study revealed that the perceived QoL can be maintained in individuals treated for HIV/AIDS. There is an association between high score of coping strategies and adherence to HAART.

Health-related quality of life and its predictors among adults living with HIV/AIDS and receiving antiretroviral therapy in Pakistan

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is considered to be the fourth 90 of UNAIDS 90-90-90 target to monitor the effects of combination antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART has significantly increased the life expectancy of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). However, the impact of chronic infection on HRQoL remains unclear, while factors influencing the HRQoL may vary from one country to another. The current study aimed to assess HRQoL and its associated factors among PLWHA receiving ART in Pakistan.

METHODS

A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among PLWHA attending an ART centre of a tertiary care hospital in Islamabad, Pakistan. HRQoL was assessed using a validated Urdu version of EuroQol 5 dimensions 3 level (EQ-5D-3L) and its Visual Analogue Scale (EQ-VAS).

RESULTS

Of the 602 patients included in the analyses, 59.5% (n = 358) reported no impairment in self-care, while 63.1% (n = 380) were extremely anxious/depressed. The overall mean EQ-5D utility score and visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score were 0.388 (SD: 0.41) and 66.20 (SD: 17.22), respectively. Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that the factors significantly associated with HRQoL were: female gender; age  > 50 years; having primary and secondary education;  > 1 year since HIV diagnosis; HIV serostatus AIDS-converted; higher CD 4 T lymphocytes count; detectable viral load; and increased time to ART.

CONCLUSIONS

The current findings have shown that PLWHA in Pakistan adherent to ART had a good overall HRQoL, though with significantly higher depression. Some of the factors identified are amenable to institution-based interventions while mitigating depression to enhance the HRQoL of PLWHA in Pakistan. The HRQoL determined in this study could be useful for future economic evaluation studies for ART and in designing future interventions.

Health-related quality of life and associated factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus on highly active antiretroviral therapy in North East Ethiopia: Cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

HIV/AIDS remains a public health concern affecting millions of people across the world. Although the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients living with HIV has significantly improved after treatment, its chronicity makes the HRQoL uncertain. This study assessed factors associated with the health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS on HAART in North-East Ethiopia.

METHODS

An institutional-based cross-sectional study was conducted from March to April 2018, and systematic random sampling was used to select 235 participants who were on HAART. HRQoL was assessed using the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analysis were computed using the statistical package for social sciences version 20.

RESULTS

The study revealed one-factor structure and had good overall internal consistency (78.5). Over one-third (42.6%; 95% CI; 36.2%, 48.9%) of participants had good HRQoL. The least HRQoL mean score was found for cognitive functioning 32.21(±19.78), followed by social functioning 40.58(±29.8). Factors associated with the overall HRQoL were 25-45 years of age (β = - 3.55, 95% CI;-6.54, -0.55), working in private sector (β = -5.66, 95% CI;-9.43, -1.88), government (β = -4.29, 95% CI;-7.83, -0.75) and self-employment (β = -8.86, 95% CI;-13.50, -4.21), 100-200 (β = - 4.84, 95% CI;-9.04, -0.63) and 201-350 CD4 at the time of diagnosis (β = - 7.45, 95% CI;-11.73, -3.16), 351-500 current CD4 level (β = 8.34, 95% CI;5.55, 11.41), 6-10 years of disease duration (β = -8.28, 95% CI;-12.51, -4.04), WHO stage II (β = -4.78, 95% CI;-8.52, -1.04) and III (β = 3.42, 95% CI;0.06, 6.79) during treatment initiation and not taking of Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis (β = -5.79, 95% CI;-8.34, -3.25).

CONCLUSIONS

High proportion of participants had a poor HRQoL. Routine assessment and appropriate interventions at each visit is recommended to improve HRQoL.

HIV Care Continuum and Meeting 90-90-90 Targets: Cascade of Care Analyses of a U.S. Military Cohort

INTRODUCTION

The new initiative by the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) aims to decrease new HIV infections in the U.S. by 75% within 5 years and 90% within 10 years. Our objective was to evaluate whether the U.S. military provides a good example of the benefits of such policies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We conducted an analysis of a cohort of 1,405 active duty military personnel with HIV enrolled in the Natural History Study who were diagnosed between 2003 and 2015 at six U.S. military medical centers. The study was approved by institutional review boards at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences and each of the sites. We evaluated the impact of Department of Defense (DoD) HIV care policies, including screening, linkage to care, treatment eligibility, and combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) initiation on achieving viral suppression (VS) within 3 years of diagnosis. As a secondary outcome, we evaluated the DoD's achievement of UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.

RESULTS

Nearly all (99%) were linked to care within 60 days. Among patients diagnosed in 2003-2009, 77.5% (95% confidence intervals (CI) 73.9-80.6%) became eligible for cART within 3 years of diagnosis, 70.6% (95% CI 66.6-74.1%) overall initiated cART, and 64.2% (95% CI 60.1-68.0%) overall achieved VS. Among patients diagnosed in 2010-2015, 98.7% (95% CI 96.7-99.5%) became eligible for cART within 3 years of diagnosis, 98.5% (95% CI 96.4-99.4%) overall initiated cART, and 89.8% (95% CI 86.0-92.5%) overall achieved VS.

CONCLUSIONS

U.S. military HIV policies have been highly successful in achieving VS goals, exceeding the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. In spite of limitations, including generalizability, this example demonstrates the feasibility of the DHHS initiative to decrease new infections through testing, early treatment, and retention in care.

Impact of Advanced HIV Disease on Quality of Life and Mortality in the Era of Combined Antiretroviral Treatment

Currently, AIDS or severe immunodeficiency remains as a challenge for people with HIV (PWHIV) and healthcare providers. Our purpose was to analyze the impact of advanced HIV disease (AHD) on mortality, life expectancy and health-related quality of life (HRQoL). We reviewed cohort studies and meta-analyses conducted in middle- and high-income countries. To analyze HRQoL, we selected studies that reported overall health and/or physical/mental health scores on a validated HRQoL instrument. AIDS diagnosis supposes a higher risk of mortality during the first six months, remaining higher for 48 months. It has been reported that cancer and cardiovascular disease persist as frequent causes of mortality in PWHIV, especially those with previous or current AHD. PWHIV who initiate combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) with CD4 < 200 cells/µL have significantly lower estimated life expectancy than those with higher counts. AHD is associated with lower HRQoL, and a worse physical health or mental health status. AIDS and non-AIDS defining events are significant predictors of a lower HRQoL, especially physical health status. AHD survivors are in risk of mortality and serious comorbidities, needing special clinical attention and preventive programs for associated comorbidities. Their specific needs should be reflected in HIV guidelines.

Factors related to quality of life of people living with HIV in Alicante, Spain

PURPOSE

To analyze the determinants that influence the health-related quality of life of people living with HIV in Alicante (Spain).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted, which recruited 214 Spanish-speaking participants over 18 years of age living with HIV from an outpatient consulting office of the infectious diseases in a hospital in Alicante between 2013 and 2014. A self-administration sociodemographic survey and the Short Form Health Survey (SF-36v2) was used to assess health-related quality of life. This questionnaire measures health on 8domains.

RESULTS

70% of the participants were male, 50% had CD4 cell count between 200-499 cells/mm³ and 20% were infected by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). For the 8SF-36v2 scales, the average scores were higher than 45. Men presented better scores than women; there were statistically significant differences in all the scales except for general health. Being co-infected with HCV and being unemployed or other situations other than having a job were significantly associated with a lower physical component summary, while being married or having a partner were significantly associated with a higher score in the mental component summary.

CONCLUSION

The socioeconomic level and the presence of clinical factors such as HCV influence the scales of quality of life of physical health among adults living with HIV.

Predictors of health-related quality of life among military HIV-infected individuals

OBJECTIVES

To determine long-term predictors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and evaluate the treatment effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on HRQOL in the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) cohort.

METHODS

Participants were a nested cohort of the NHS who responded to the Rand Short Form 36 questionnaire administered from 2006 to 2010. Physical component summary scores (PCS) and mental component summary scores (MCS) were computed using standard algorithms. HAART-status was categorized as non-protease inhibitor-based (NPI-HAART), protease inhibitor-based (PI-HAART), HAART-naïve, or off-HAART. Mixed linear random effects models were used to estimate changes in PCS and MCS over time for treatment and covariates (including CD4 count, HIV viral load, medical and mental comorbidities).

RESULTS

Eight hundred and twelve participants met the inclusion criteria. There was no difference in PCS or MCS between those on PI-HAART compared to NPI-HAART. Significant predictors of PCS were CD4 count < 200 cells/mm³ (β = - 2.90), CD4 count 200-499 cells/mm³ (β = - 0.80), and mental comorbidity (β = - 3.23). Others were medical comorbidity, AIDS-defining illness, being on NPI-HAART, HAART-naïve, age, and rank. Those with medical comorbidities experienced yearly improvement in PCS. Predictors of MCS were CD4 count < 200 cells/mm³ (β = - 2.53), mental comorbidity (β = - 4.58), and being African American (β = 2.59).

CONCLUSION

HRQOL was significantly affected by low CD4 count, medical and mental comorbidities. Addressing these modifiable factors would be expected to improve the physical and mental HRQOL of the cohort. Our study did not find any treatment benefit of NPI-HAART over PI-HAART on HRQOL in the long term.

Chronic Diseases Multimorbidity among Adult People Living with HIV at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, Southern Ethiopia

Background

Due to the wide implementation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLWHIV) are now living longer. This increased the risk of developing noncommunicable chronic diseases (NCCDs) among them.

Objective

We aimed to describe prevalence of NCCDs multimorbidity among PLWHIV at Hawassa University Comprehensive Specialized Hospital (HUCSH).

Method

In April 2016, institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among PLWHIV, aged ≥ 18 years at the ART unit of HUCSH. A nurse working in the ART unit interviewed patients and reviewed medical records. Data on the NCCDs and its risk factors were obtained. List of diseases considered in this study were arthritis, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, congestive heart failure (CHF), rheumatic heart diseases (RHD), chronic bronchitis, asthma, and cancer.

Results

More than half of the respondents (196) had at least one of the NCCDs and 34 (8.9%) had multimorbidity. The main system of the body affected were the musculoskeletal system, 146 (38.2%) and respiratory system, 46 (12.0%). There was no significant difference in the prevalence of individual NCCDs by gender. Patients aged above 44 years, patients with ART duration of at least 6 years, and patients with higher CD4 counts had increased odds of having any one of the NCCDs. Multimorbidity patients with a longer ART duration had an increased risk.

Conclusion

The prevalence of NCCD multimorbidity among PLWHIV was high. Monitoring the occurrence of NCCDs among PLWHIV and noncommunicable disease care is recommended.

Health-related quality of life among adults living with HIV: a cross-sectional survey in Armenia

Few studies have examined health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among people living with HIV (PLWHIV) in Eastern Europe and Central Asia. We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 180 PLWHIV aged 18 years+ in Armenia who were on cART and used the 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey to assess HRQoL. The highest HRQoL domain score was 85.3 (SD 24.7) for physical functioning, followed by 82.1 (SD 25.0) for pain, 77.9 (SD 24.2) for social functioning, 76.4 (SD 39.6) for emotional role-functioning, 71.1 (SD 39.7) for physical role-functioning, and 64.0 (SD 20.3) for energy/fatigue, 63.7 (SD 22.7) for emotional well-being and 63.4 for general health 63.4 (SD 21.2). In the physical domain, chronic comorbidities and low emotional support were associated with worse physical functioning, physical role-functioning, general health and pain scores (p < 0.05). Unemployment and hepatitis C coinfection were associated with worse physical role functioning and pain scores (p < 0.01). As for mental HRQoL, we found that unemployment, chronic comorbidities, and lower emotional support were associated with poorer emotional well-being, energy, and emotional role-functioning scores (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that improved social support, employment opportunities, mental health services and integrated care for noncommunicable comorbidities may improve HRQoL in Armenia and similar settings.

Clinical determinants associated with quality of life for people who live with HIV/AIDS: a Meta-analysis

Background

During recent years, Quality of Life (QoL) is a significant assessment factor in clinical trials and epidemiological researches due to the advent of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) has become a manageable,chronic disease. With regards, more attention must be paid to the QoL of infected patients. Limited evidence exists on the impact of ART on QoL among HIV infected patients. Due to lacking of a systematic approach to summarizing the available evidence on the clinical determinants of People Who Live with HIV/AIDS (PWLHs’) QoL, this study aimed to analyze the impact of clinical determinants (ART experience, CD4 count < 200, co-morbidities, time diagnosis and accessibility to cares) on QoL among PWLHs’.

Methods

This study was designed in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic databases were searched in February 2017 to identify all past studies that discussed social and behavioral characteristics of QoL in PLWHA. To recognize effective factors on social and behavioral QoL, a meta-analysis was conducted. Polled Odds Ratios (ORs) were utilized at a 95% confidence level. Since sampling methods differed between articles in the systematic review, we evaluated pooled estimates using a random effect model. Metan, metareg, metacum, and metabias commands in STATA version 13.0 were applied to analyze the data.

Results

Our findings indicated that ART has a positive impact on QoL, with a pooled effect size at approximately 1.04 with a confidence interval between 0.42 to 1.66 which indicates this impact is not very considerable and may be relatively neutral. The pooled effect size for CD4 count on QoL was .29 (95%CI = .22–.35), indicating that there is a negative associate between CD4 count and QoL. The co-morbidity as a negative determinant for QoL among HIV/AIDS infected people. The pooled effect size implies on a relative neutral association, although the confidence interval is wide and ranges between 0.32 to 1.58. The pooled effect size is about 1.82 with confidence interval 1.27 to 2.37 which indicates a considerable positive association with lowest level of heterogeneity.

Conclusions

The results illustrated that time diagnosing and availability to hospital services had significant relationship with a higher QoL and CD4 < 200 was associated with a lower QoL. In conclusion, policy makers should set an agenda setting to provide a suitable diagnostic and therapeutic facilities to early detecting and continues monitoring the health status of People Who Live with HIV/AIDS (PWLHs’).

Trajectories of Health-Related Quality of Life and Perceived Social Support Among People Living With HIV Undergoing Antiretroviral Treatment: Does Gender Matter?

The study examined the trajectories of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and perceived social support (PSS) among people living with HIV (PLWH), with a special focus on gender differences. The participants included 252 PLWH (18% female) undergoing antiretroviral therapy. HRQoL (WHO Quality of Life-BREF; WHOQOL Group, 1998) and PSS (Berlin Social Support Scales; Schulz and Schwarzer, 2003) were measured three times at six-month intervals. Using a univariate approach, three trajectories of HRQoL and four trajectories of PSS were identified. Gender and relationship status were significant covariates for PSS only, with overrepresentation of single women in the increasing trajectory. The dual trajectory approach revealed a match in the decrease of HRQoL and PSS, but only for 31% of the sample. In fact, decreasing PSS co-occurred with increasing as well as stable HRQoL. There was no significant gender effect in this regard. Although a clear correspondence for decreasing trajectories exists, the findings also highlight a discrepancy between HRQoL and PSS changes that are unrelated to gender.

Changes health-related quality of life in HIV-infected patients following initiation of antiretroviral therapy: a longitudinal study

BACKGROUND

Several tools have been developed to evaluate HIV health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during and after antiretroviral therapy (ART). Few longitudinal studies evaluated the effect of ART on the quality of life of HIV patients.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in HRQoL in HIV-infected individuals one year after initiating ART.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted from May 2016 to July 2018. Data on clinical and sociodemographic characteristics of 91 HIV-infected patients were collected prior to initiation of ART and one year thereafter. Demographic and clinical data were collected and the questionnaires 36-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-36) and HIV/AIDS-targeted quality of life (HAT-QoL) were administered in both periods. Asymptomatic individuals, aged ≥18 years, were included in the study. Patients who discontinued treatment were excluded. The association between predictors of physical and mental HRQoL was analyzed by multiple linear regression analysis.

RESULTS

Patients were predominantly male (78.0%), mean age 35.3 ± 10.7 years, with no stable relationship (80.2%), and no comorbidities (73.6%). Most of the SF-36 domains improved after one year, particularly Physical Function (p = 0.0001), General Health (p = 0.0001), Social Functioning (p = 0.0001), Mental Health (p = 0.001), and Mental Component Summary (p = 0.004). HAT-QoL domains improved in the Overall Function (p = 0.0001), Life Satisfaction (p = 0.0001), Provider Trust (p = 0.001), and Sexual Function (p = 0.0001) domains. Sex (p = 0.032), age (p = 0.001), income (p = 0.007), and stable relationship (p = 0.004) were good predictors of the Physical Component Summary. Sex (p = 0.002) and stable relationship (p = 0.038) were good predictors of the Mental Component Summary. SF-36 and HAT-QoL scales presented strong correlations, except for Medication Concerns (0.15-0.37), HIV Mastery (0.18-0.38), Disclosure Worries (-0.15 to 0.07), and Provider Trust (-0.07 to 0.15).

CONCLUSIONS

ART improved HRQoL after one year of use. The HAT-QoL and SF-36 correlated well and are good tools to evaluate HRQoL in HIV-infected patients on ART.

Health-related quality of life assessment among people living with HIV in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil: a cross-sectional study

PURPOSE

To assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and its associated factors among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study including PLWHA receiving usual HIV-care at Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI/Fiocruz) was conducted between 2014 and 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The EQ-5D-3L assessed HRQoL; PHQ-2 and ASSIST were used for screening depression and substance use, respectively. Clinical variables were obtained from the INI/Fiocruz cohort database, and structured questions evaluated intimate partner violence, sexual abstinence and relationship status. Data were analysed using multivariable Tobit regression model.

RESULTS

A total of 1480 PLWHA were included: 64.7% were male at birth (38.4% men who have sex with men [MSM], 24.3% heterosexual men and 2% transgender women [TGW]); median age was 43.1 years, and 95.8% were receiving antiretroviral therapy. The median EQ-5D-3L utility score was 0.801. Results showed that the following factors: MSM and women; older age; lower educational level; no engagement in a relationship; depression screening positive; polysubstance use; and, detectable viral load were independently associated with worse HRQoL.

CONCLUSIONS

PLWHA under care at INI/Fiocruz presented good HRQoL. Polysubstance use, depression and lower educational level were among the factors negatively associated with HRQoL. This was the first time that the EQ-5D-3L utility scores were calculated for a considerable number of PLWHA in Brazil, which is a fundamental piece of information for future cost-effectiveness analysis.

Health-related quality of life and coping strategies among people living with HIV: the moderating role of gender

The aim of the study was to explore gender differences in the level of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and coping strategies among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PLWH). In particular, the moderating role of participants' gender on the relationship between coping strategies and HRQoL was explored, while controlling for socio-medical data. A total of 444 HIV-infected men and 86 HIV-infected women were recruited to participate in the study. This was a cross-sectional study with the HRQoL assessed by the World Health Organization (WHO) Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF) and the coping strategies measured by the Brief COPE inventory. Although the HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women differed in terms of some HRQoL domains, these differences disappeared in the regression analysis after controlling for socio-demographic data (employment and higher education). In addition, several statistically significant interactions between participants' gender and coping strategies in relation to HRQoL domains were observed. Future research on gender differences in HRQoL among PLWH should take into account unique differences between HIV-infected men and HIV-infected women across, not only in respect to socio-medical factors but also regarding psychosocial variables.

Lower health-related quality of life predicts all-cause hospitalization among HIV-infected individuals

BACKGROUND

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is a patient-centered outcome measure used in assessing the individual's overall functional health status but studies looking at HRQOL as a predictive tool are few. This work examines whether summary scores of HRQOL are predictive of all-cause hospitalization in the US Military HIV Natural History Study (NHS) cohort.

METHODS

The Short Form 36 (SF-36) was administered between 2006 and 2010 to 1711 NHS cohort members whose hospitalization records we had also obtained. Physical component summary scores (PCSS) and mental component summary scores (MCSS) were computed based on standard algorithms. Terciles of PCSS and MCSS were generated with the upper terciles (higher HRQOL) as referent groups. Proportional hazards multivariate regression models were used to estimate the hazard of hospitalization for PCSS and MCSS separately (models 1 and 2, respectively) and combined (model 3).

RESULTS

The hazard ratios (HR) of hospitalization were respectively 2.12 times (95% CI: 1.59-2.84) and 1.59 times (95% CI: 1.19-2.14) higher for the lower and middle terciles compared to the upper PCSS tercile. The HR of hospitalization was 1.33 times (95% CI: 1.02-1.73) higher for the lower compared to the upper MCSS tercile. Other predictors of hospitalization were CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 (HR = 2.84, 95% CI: 1.96, 4.12), CD4 count 200-349 cells/mm3 (HR = 1.67, 95% CI: 1.24, 2.26), CD4 count 350-499 cells/mm3 (HR = 1.41, 95% CI: 1.09, 1.83), plasma viral load > 50 copies/mL (HR = 1.82, 95% CI: 1.46, 2.26), and yearly increment in duration of HIV infection (HR = 0.94, 95% CI: 0.93, 0.96) (model 3).

CONCLUSION

After controlling for factors associated with hospitalization among those with HIV, both PCSS and MCSS were predictive of all-cause hospitalization in the NHS cohort. HRQOL assessment using the SF-36 may be useful in stratifying hospitalization risk among HIV-infected populations.