Self-reported health-related quality of life in persons with HIV infection: results from a multi-site interview project

Michael L Campsmith,Allyn K Nakashima,Arthur J Davidson

doi:10.1186/1477-7525-1-12

Abstract

BackgroundTo examine demographic and behavioral associations with self-reported health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among persons with HIV infection or AIDS.MethodsAnalysis of interviews with persons ≥ 18 years of age reported through routine disease surveillance with HIV infection or AIDS to nine state and local health departments from January 1995 through December 1996. Scales were constructed from validated measures of HRQOL, and mean scores were calculated (lower scores signified poorer HRQOL). Measures of HRQOL included Overall Health, Pain, Physical Functioning, Role Functioning, Social Functioning, Mental Health, Energy/Fatigue, and Cognitive Functioning. Differences in HRQOL were examined by various demographic and behavioral factors, including taking antiretroviral medication.ResultsHRQOL data were available for 3778 persons. Factors associated with lower HRQOL scores included older age, female sex, black or Hispanic race/ethnicity, injection drug use, lower education and income, no private health insurance, and lower CD4 count. In multivariate analysis, lower CD4 count was the factor most consistently associated with lower HRQOL. Taking antiretroviral medication was not associated with differences in HRQOL regardless of CD4 count.ConclusionsPerception of HRQOL varied in a population with HIV infection or AIDS. On most HRQOL measures, lower CD4 count was associated with lower HRQOL. Measurement of HRQOL can assist in understanding the long-term effects of disease and treatment on persons with HIV.

Highlights

To examine demographic and behavioral associations with self-reported healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) among persons with HIV infection or AIDS
During the period examined for this analysis, Arizona, Denver, Detroit, New Jersey, and South Carolina interviewed persons with HIV infection in addition to those with AIDS. (Three sites-Detroit, South Carolina, and Washington-opted not to collect data using the HRQOL module and were excluded from all analyses.) Informed consent was obtained from all participants prior to the interview, and the study has received institutional review board approval at both the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and local levels
From January 1995 through December 1996, 6128 persons were identified for interview at the nine sites that administered the HRQOL module

Summary

Introduction

To examine demographic and behavioral associations with self-reported healthrelated quality of life (HRQOL) among persons with HIV infection or AIDS. Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) and disability are important issues for persons treated for chronic diseases [6,7,8,9,10,11], including HIV infection [12,13,14]. Populations with HIV infection or AIDS have reported different levels of HRQOL, both in clinical trials [15,16,17,18] and population-based research [19,20,21]. We present summary information from a multi-site supplemental surveillance project that describes the levels of HRQOL reported by HIV-infected persons in different demographic and behavioral risk factor groups, stressing the relationship between disease progression and HRQOL

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