Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) viruses are associated with a high global burden of disease, and coinfection is a frequently reported event. We aimed to compare the functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients infected with HTLV-1, HIV, and HIV-HTLV-1. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study of patients older than 18 years who had an HTLV-1 infection (Group A), HIV infection (Group B), or HIV-HTLV-1 coinfection (Group C). The functioning profiles were evaluated using handgrip strength, Berg balance scale (BBS), timed “up and go” (TUG) test, and 5-m walk test (m/s). We used the World Health Organization Disability Assessment Schedule (WHODAS 2.0) questionnaire to measure disability. The HRQoL was evaluated using a 36-item short-form health survey. For data with parametric and non-parametric distribution, we used analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction and the Kruskal-Wallis test, followed by Dunn’s pairwise tests with Bonferroni correction. RESULTS: We enrolled 68 patients in Group A, 39 in Group B, and 29 in Group C. The scores for handgrip strength, BBS, TUG test, all the WHODAS domains, and HRQoL were poorer for Groups A and C than for Group B.CONCLUSIONS: Compared to patients with HIV infection, those with HIV-HTLV-1 coinfection and HTLV-1 infection had poor functioning and HRQoL scores. HTLV-1 infection was associated with reduced functioning and HRQoL in patients with a single HTLV-1 infection and HIV-HTLV-1 coinfection.
Highlights
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) viruses are associated with a high global burden of disease, and coinfection is a frequently reported event
We reviewed the medical records of 156 individuals in Group A (HTLV blot 2.4, Genelab, Singapore) whose diagnosis of HTLV-1 infection was confirmed by western blot; we ensured that these patients tested negative for HIV-1 infection
A total of 136 patients were enrolled in the study: 68 (50.0%) with HTLV-1 infection, 39 (28.7%) with HIV infection, and 29 (21.3%) with HIV-HTLV-1 coinfection
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and human T-cell leukemia virus-1 (HTLV-1) viruses are associated with a high global burden of disease, and coinfection is a frequently reported event. We aimed to compare the functioning and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients infected with HTLV-1, HIV, and HIV-HTLV-1. Conclusions: Compared to patients with HIV infection, those with HIVHTLV-1 coinfection and HTLV-1 infection had poor functioning and HRQoL scores. Brites et al.[2] reported that patients with HIV-HTLV-1 infection have higher CD4 T-cell counts than those with HIV monoinfection this did not translate into a clinical benefit. Both HIV and HTLV-1 infections are considered chronic diseases associated with physical impairment, disabilities, and poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL)[5,6,7]. Other studies have shown that HIV-related disabilities are associated with decrease in aerobic capacity, HRQoL, and daily activities[6,9]
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