title: Effect of Lipodystrophy on the Quality of Life among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) on Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy.
abstract: Lipodystrophy is a known adverse effect of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Lipodystrophy resulting in body dysmorphism can lower the quality of life (QoL) among HAART recipients. The main aim of our study was to find the effect of lipodystrophy on QoL among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on HAART.
  
  
  
  This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in south India. The participants were assessed for the presence of lipodystrophy. Their QoL was assessed using HIV-AIDS-targeted QoL questionnaire (HAT-QoL). Statistical analysis was carried out using SPSS version 11.5.
  
  
  
  Lipodystrophy was present in 21 participants (42%). The QoL among individuals with lipodystrophy was found to be significantly lower in terms of disclosure worries (P = .023) and financial worries (P = .049).
  
  
  
  Lipodystrophy adversely affects QoL among PLHIV. There is a need for studies analyzing factors that can potentially improve the QoL in such individuals.
authors.affiliation: Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India ashenoy88@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Archana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Shenoy
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Ramapuram
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Bhaskaran
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Unnikrishan
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Basavaprabhu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Achappa
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Deepak
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Madi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Satish
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Rao
authors.affiliation: Department of Paediatrics, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal University, Mangalore, India.
authors.forename: Soundarya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mahalingam
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India / Q000453:epidemiology; D008060:Lipodystrophy / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: HIV; lipodystrophy; quality of life (QoL)