[Clinical status, adherence to HAART and quality of life in HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral treatment].
BACKGROUND
Quality of life is one of the most frequently used subjective measures in chronic health problems. The aim of this study is to analyze the association between clinical and therapeutic parameters, and 11 quality of life domains in HIV-infected patients.


METHODS
A cross-sectional survey of 320 patients on antiretroviral treatment was conducted in four Andalusian hospitals (Spain). A semi-structured questionnaire was administered by health care professionals. Health-related quality of life was assessed with the MOS-HIV questionnaire, an instrument designed specifically for HIV-infected patients.


RESULTS
Almost three-quarters of the population were men (73.4%); 35.6% had developed aids, and 88.1% were considered adherent to treatment. Patients with greater viral load presented lower quality of life scores for all the domains, except cognitive functioning. Patients who had developed aids showed poorer quality of life for 10 of the 11 domains. Patients with adequate adherence to antiretroviral treatment showed better quality of life for 10 domains. No statistically significant differences in the domain scores except for quality of life were found between patients with a treatment regimen including protease inhibitors and those without.


CONCLUSIONS
The patient's clinical status and adherence affect not only survival, but also quality of life.
Ruiz-Pérez
Isabel
I
Departamento de Salud Pública, Escuela Andaluza de Salud Pública, Granada, Spain. isabel.ruiz.easp@juntadeandalucia.es
Olry de Labry-Lima
Antonio
A
López-Ruz
Miguel Angel
MA
del Arco-Jiménez
Alfonso
A
Rodríguez-Baño
Jesús
J
Causse-Prados
Manuel
M
Pasquau-Liaño
Juan
J
Martín-Rico
Patricia
P
Prada-Pardal
José Luis
JL
de la Torre-Lima
Javier
J
López-Gómez
Manuel
M
Marcos
Miguel
M
Muñoz
Nuria
N
Morales
Dolores
D
Muñoz
Isabel
I
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011788:Quality of Life; D013030:Spain; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D019562:Viral Load