Quality of life in an Italian cohort of people living with HIV in the era of combined antiretroviral therapy (Evidence from I.A.N.U.A. study-investigation on antiretroviral therapy). Issue 11 (2nd November 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Venturini, A.; Cenderello, G.; Di Biagio, A.; Giannini, B.; Ameri, M.; Giacomini, M.; Montefiori, M.; Setti, M.; Mazzarello, G.; Merlano, C.; Orcamo, P.; Viscoli, C.; Cassola, G.
• Is Part Of: AIDS care. Volume 29:Issue 11(2017)
• Page Start: 1373
• Page End: 1377
• Publication Date: 2017-11-02
• Subjects: HIV -- quality of life -- CD4+ -- coinfection HIV-HCV -- HIV-RNA; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Patients -- Care -- Periodicals; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2017.1286286
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0954-0121

Abstract

ABSTRACT: The aims of this study were to assess the Health Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) of People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) who attend outpatient services in Genoa, Italy, and to evaluate the relationship between HRQoL and clinical factors, primarily: CD4+ cell count, viral load and HIV-Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) coinfection. A cross-sectional study was performed involving a sample of 943 consecutive patients. Firstly the EuroQol-Five Dimensions-Three Level (EQ-5D-3L) self-reported questionnaire was used to evaluate HRQoL, while socio-demographic information was collected using a separate self-administered questionnaire. Descriptive statistical analysis was then used to show the socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample. Having characterized the sample, Pearson's correlation technique was used to assess the relationship between HRQoL and socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. Finally, multivariable linear regression was used to determine factors associated with HRQOL. The median EQ-Visual analogue scale (EQ-VAS) score was 75.4 (SD 18.4). We found statistically significant associations between the EQ-VAS score and age, coinfection with HCV+, education, other drugs taken over cART, hospitalization due to HIV and a CD4+ cell count <200 mm 3 compared with CD4+ cell count >500 mm 3 . Factors independently associated with lower HRQoL were: older age, coinfection with HCV+, other drugs used in addition to cART, hospitalization due to HIV and CD4+ cell count <200 mm 3 compared with CD4+ cell count >500 mm 3 .