Self-care for fatigue in patients With HIV.
OBJECTIVE
To identify when fatigue is reported as a problem by people who are HIV positive, what the perception of fatigue is, and which self-care behaviors are used and with what efficacy.


METHODS
Multisite descriptive study.


METHODS
University-based AIDS clinics, community-based organizations, and homecare agencies located in cities across the United States, in Norway, and through a university Web site.


METHODS
Convenience sample of 422 self-identified people who are HIV positive.


METHODS
Symptom description, symptom relief, symptom help, and self-care strategies.


RESULTS
The sixth most reported symptom in this study, fatigue, was treated with a variety of self-designed strategies. In only three instances was consultation with a healthcare provider (i.e., physician) or an injection (medication not defined) mentioned. The most frequently used interventions were supplements, vitamins, and nutrition followed by sleep and rest; exercise; adjusting activities, approaches, and thoughts; distraction; and complementary and alternative therapies. In addition to self-designed strategies, the media and friends and family were sources of information.


CONCLUSIONS
Fatigue was reported less frequently in this study than in other HIV-, AIDS-, or cancer-related studies. This may be an artifact of the study design. The use of informal networks for assistance, let alone the prevalence of unrelieved fatigue, indicates the need for more attention to this problem among people with AIDS.


CONCLUSIONS
Careful assessment of the pattern of fatigue and its onset, duration, intervention, and resolution is required if the varied types of fatigue are to be identified and treated successfully.
Corless
Inge B
IB
MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA, USA. icorless@partners.org
Bunch
Eli Haugen
EH
Kemppainen
Jeanne K
JK
Holzemer
William L
WL
Nokes
Kathleen M
KM
Eller
Lucille Sanzero
LS
Portillo
Carmen J
CJ
Butensky
Ellen
E
Nicholas
Patrice K
PK
Bain
Catherine A
CA
Davis
Sheila
S
Kirksey
Kenn M
KM
Chou
Fang-Yu
FY
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States