Remple VP, Maan E, Steinwender S, Burdge DR; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 2002 Jul 7-12; 14: abstract no. TuPeC4688.

University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada

OBJECTIVES: To describe the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of HIV-infected women attending a university hospital outpatient, Women and Family HIV Centre using a new, multidimensional, HIV-specific questionnaire, the MQOL-HIV. METHODS: HIV-infected women completed the MQOL-HIV and a sociodemographic questionnaire. Clinical data were collected by chart review. HRQOL scores were compared against sociodemographic and clinical variables using correlation, regression, and ANOVA. RESULTS: Eighty-five women participated. Demographic characteristics: mean age 36.5 (19-60), Caucasian 61%, Aboriginal 23%, pregnant 11%. Recent drug use reported by 21%, injection drug use by 16.5%. Clinical characteristics: mean duration HIV infection 8 yrs (0 -20), mean viral load 55,430 copies/ml (und - 643,000), mean CD4 414 copies/ml (30-1180), 53% on HAART (mean duration 40 mo), 40% with concurrent medical diagnosis, and 87% reported symptoms/side effects. Overall HRQOL scores did not correlate with age, duration of HIV infection, duration of HAART, viral load, or CD4. The only significant predictor of overall HRQOL was presence of symptoms/side effects; women without symptoms/side effects scored higher in all MQOL-HIV domains, reaching statistical significance in all except partner intimacy, sexual functioning, and medical care. Significantly higher scores in the 10 domains were additionally found as follows: mental health for those with highest gross income; physical health for those on HAART; physical functioning for those currently employed; social and cognitive functioning for those currently pregnant; and financial status in those pregnant, employed, and with highest gross income. CONCLUSIONS: The MQOL-HIV is a useful, user-friendly multidimensional measure of HRQOL in HIV-infected women. Our data suggest that improved attention to symptom and side effect management could potentially significantly improve most domains of HRQOL in women both on and off HAART.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• Life
• Mental Health
• Quality of Life
• Questionnaires

Other ID:

• GWAIDS0015200

UI: 102252698

From Meeting Abstracts