Body image in men with HIV.
OBJECTIVE
To determine body image among HIV-infected men and to determine the relationship of lipodystrophy on body image.


METHODS
Self-report questionnaires on body image were distributed to HIV-infected men at the university-based HIV clinic. Two previously validated instruments, the Body Image Quality of Life (BIQLI) scale and the Situational Inventory of Body Image Dysphoria Short Form (SIBID-S) were used to measure body image effects. The presence of lipodystrophy was determined by both self-report and physician examination. Demographic characteristics, disease stage, health status, and quality of life were also ascertained. Analysis of responses was performed via both group comparisons and linear regression analyses.


RESULTS
One hundred ten men responded. Seventy-one percent identified their sexual orientation as men having sex with men (MSM). Forty-eight reported the presence of lipodystrophic characteristics; 62 reported no lipodystrophic changes. Agreement regarding the presence of lipodystrophy between physician and subject was 0.80 as measured by the kappa coefficient of agreement. Compared to HIV-infected men who denied lipodystrophy, HIV-infected men with self-reported lipodystrophy demonstrated poor body image as measured by BIQLI (p < 0.0001) and SIBID-S scales (p = 0.0001). Similarly, physician rated lipodystrophy was significantly associated with both body image subscale scores.


CONCLUSIONS
We demonstrate that lipodystrophy among HIV-infected men is associated with poor body image.
Huang
Jeannie S
JS
Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Diego, California, USA. jshuang@ucsd.edu
Lee
Daniel
D
Becerra
Karen
K
Santos
Rosanne
R
Barber
Ed
E
Mathews
W Christopher
WC
D000328:Adult; D001828:Body Image; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D039682:HIV-Associated Lipodystrophy Syndrome / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors