Strategies for coping with fatigue among HIV-positive individuals fifty years and older.
Fatigue, a common symptom among persons living with HIV/AIDS, is often underreported and undertreated. However, given fatigue's pervasive effects on well-being and functioning, the identification of its physiologic and psychological causes and strategies to alleviate it are important to patients' quality of life. As part of a study to understand better how HIV-positive middle-aged and older adults (50+) manage common symptoms, 49 participants discussed in depth their experience with fatigue. Most engaged in both self-care activities and sought the assistance of a health care professional. Frequent strategies included dietary changes, vitamins, modification of routines, rest, exercise, and prescribed medications for anemia, Vitamin B(12) deficiency, or testosterone deficiency. Complementary and alternative medicine (e.g., acupuncture, massage, herbal remedies, special juices) was also commonly used. Participants often used multiple strategies to alleviate their fatigue, possibly because of their tendency to attribute it to multiple causes. These HIV-positive older adults were also apt to view fatigue as an indirect indicator of their overall health status and immune functioning. This may explain why many of the coping strategies they used could be considered approaches to improving their overall health status as a means to increasing their energy levels. Health care professionals can play an important role in helping HIV-positive individuals manage their fatigue. The majority of participants tried to implement the coping suggestions offered by health care professionals, as well as those from family, friends, and support group members.
Siegel
Karolynn
K
Center for the Psychosocial Study of Health and Illness, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York 10032, USA. KS420@columbia.edu
Brown-Bradley
Courtney J
CJ
Lekas
Helen-Maria
HM
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000529:Complementary Therapies; D015444:Exercise; D005221:Fatigue / Q000517:prevention & control* / Q000523:psychology / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009519:New York City; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000523:psychology; D011788:Quality of Life; D012064:Relaxation Therapy; D012648:Self Care / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013739:Testosterone / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014815:Vitamins / Q000627:therapeutic use
D014815:Vitamins; D013739:Testosterone