Coping modes with HIV disease predict loss from HIV study cohort.
The objective of this longitudinal study of 41 Swedish men with HIV disease was to assess what variables or combination of variables might predict loss to retention at 12 months. The variables of focus were of patients' characteristics, quality of life, psychological, and medical characters. It appears that it is psychological variables relating to coping with HIV disease that are the best predictors of failure to retain respondents in this cohort. The responses to two items: 'I have been doing things that I believe will improve my health (e.g. changed my diet)' and 'I feel like giving up' correctly classified over 85% of cases lost to the study. These findings are worthy of replication and may prove useful in maximizing retention rates in longitudinal studies of the course of HIV disease and medication adherence and outcome.
Nilsson Schönnesson
Lena
L
Gay Men's Health Clinic, Gay Men's Health Center, Söder Hospital/Karolinska Institute, Södersjukhuset, SE-118 83 Stockholm, Sweden. lena.nilsson-schonnesson@karolinska.se
Ross
Michael W
MW
Bergbrant
Ing-Marie
IM
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents