title: [HIV-related symptoms in patients with HIV infection enrolled in an HIV case management program in Taiwan].
abstract: Patients with HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) experience multiple signs and symptoms that accompany the progress of HIV-related diseases. HIV-related symptoms are associated with side effects and HAART (highly active antiretroviral therapy) complications. The purposes of this study were to estimate the frequency and intensity of HIV-related signs and symptoms in patients with HIV infection and to explore relationships between HIV-related symptoms and the HAART regimen. Data on a total of 172 HIV-positive patients enrolled in an HIV case management program were analyzed for this study. Participants experienced an average of 9.73+/-7.27 symptoms, with fatigue, dry mouth and weakness the most frequently reported. Average mean symptom intensity among participants was 13.24+/-11.48. Insomnia, depression and disorientation were the most severe symptoms. No differences were recorded between HIV-related symptoms and disease progression. Fatigue intensity showed significant differences between NRTI (nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors), +NNRTI (non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors) and NRTI+PI (protease inhibitors) based regimens (p=.03). In addition, cluster symptoms of confusion/distress among participants without HAART had a significantly higher mean intensity than those with HAART (t=2.0, df=1, p=.04). Our study indicated that symptom management for fatigue and early detection of psychological distress is needed to improve quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University Hospital, and College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan, ROC.
authors.forename: Mei-Ling
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Yeh
authors.forename: Hsiao-Ying
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Wen-Chien
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Ko
authors.forename: Hsin-Chun
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.forename: Nai-Ying
authors.initials: NY
authors.lastname: Ko
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life