title: Health and mood among HIV-positive outpatients attending an ART Clinic of a University Hospital.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate how individuals at different stages of infection with HIV perceive their health status and its association with mood states.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  With the introduction of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy in 1996, the quality of life of people living with HIV has improved. However, the literature emphasises the negative effects of the disease on the mental health of individuals suffering from this condition and the high incidence of depression among infected individuals. Although people diagnosed and living with HIV are overwhelmed by emotions, we found that various emotional manifestations are understudied within this group of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional study was conducted in an outpatient unit of a University Hospital (antiretroviral therapy clinic), with a consecutive sample composed of 152 patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data were collected through a questionnaire used to assess the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, the Short Form (36) Health Survey, and the Profile of Mood States scale.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The health status negatively affects the role at the emotional and mental health dimensions. The participants showing a worse health condition than in the previous year had higher levels of tension/anxiety, depression/dejection, fatigue/inertia and confusion/bewilderment. The stage of disease and the profile of mood state emerged as independent phenomena.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results of this study indicate that nurses worldwide should be aware of the emotional aspects (negative emotions strongly impact health) related to the subjective perception of a worsening health status, regardless of the stage of the disease.
authors: Santa Maria Hospital, Lisboa, Portugal. dilarcosta@gmail.com.
authors: Dilar
authors: D
authors: Costa
authors: Nursing School of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
authors: Aida
authors: A
authors: Mendes
authors: Nursing School of Porto, Porto, Portugal.
authors: Wilson
authors: W
authors: Abreu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000339:Affect; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology; D003221:Confusion / Q000209:etiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: affective symptoms; emotions; holistic nursing; human immunodeficiency virus; mental health