title: [Quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS and its relationship with CD4+ lymphocytes, viral load and time of diagnosis].
abstract: Quality of life (QOL) has accompanied the treatment of AIDS patients, along with pharmacological innovations that have allowed patients to live longer and maintain their well-being. The present study aimed at evaluating the QOL of these patients and correlate it with clinical and laboratory data. The study included 205 patients with HIV/AIDS, who answered the WHOQOL-120-HIV; and whose socio-demographic data, clinical and laboratory findings were collected. The average age was 40.59 ± 11.81 years; CD4+ lymphocyte count, 397.9 ± 232.84 mm³; and years of diagnosis of HIV, 5.23 ± 3.94. Viral load was <50 copies/ml in 115 patients; 50 to 10.000 in 61; and above 10.000 copies in 29 patients. Domains achieved satisfactory average scores, and the best were the psychological (14.5 ± 2.7), followed by social relationships (13.7 ± 2.2), physical (12.7 ± 3.5), independence (12.6 ± 2.5), personal beliefs (12.4 ± 2.4), and environment (12.4 ± 1.8). The best scores on pain, pleasure, social support, physical environment, and personal belief facets were observed for those with higher CD4 levels (p < 0.05). The best scores for the finance, leisure, concerns about the future, overall QOL, and perceived health facets were observed for patients with viral load <50 (p < 0.05). The highest rates for energy, fatigue, sexual activity, information, transportation, symptoms, care, and concerns about the future facets were seen in patients with less time of diagnosis (p < 0.05). HIV/AIDS patients in the study had an intermediate QOL correlating to CD4 levels, VL, and time of diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade Unigran Capital. brunno@brunnoelias.com.br
authors.forename: Brunno Elias
authors.initials: BE
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.forename: Isabele Mendes
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Anamaria Mello Miranda
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Paniago
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load; D055815:Young Adult