title: The functional status of patients with AIDS attending antiretroviral treatment center.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To assess the functional status of patients with Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) registered in the Anti-Retroviral Treatment (ART) center.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Descriptive study.
  
  
  METHODS
  ART center in Calicut Medical College, Kerala, India.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cohorts of AIDS patients attending the ART center during the year 2007.
  
  
  METHODS
  Done prospectively from the secondary data available from the center.
  
  
  METHODS
  The demographic, morbidity, functional status and laboratory parameters were collected. Data processing was done using Excel datasheet and analysis were done using Epi info 2003.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred and ninety-five patients received care during this period; 69% were males. The mean age was 38+/-9 years; 80% of them were married and in 50% of their spouses also tested positive for HIV. The mean CD4 count was 127 cells/microliter. The majority (90%) were categorized as WHO Stage 3 or 4 of HIV. Only 52% of them were able to perform their usual work in or outside their house; the rest were not able to lead an economically productive life. Thirty-six per cent were only able to perform activities of daily living; 12% were bedridden. The functional status of the patients positively correlated with WHO disease stage (P = < 0-0001), and CD4 count and hemoglobin levels negatively correlated with staging (P = <0.001). 62% are having any of the opportunistic infections.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Fifty per cent of the AIDS patients are disabled and need support and care. As AIDS is a growing problem, community-based palliative care for AIDS patients should be strengthened in India.
authors.affiliation: All India Institute of Medical Sciences, Ansari Nagar, New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Tj
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Thejus
authors.forename: Mc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jeeja
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Jayakrishnan