The Impact of Stressful Life Events, Symptom Status, and Adherence Concerns on Quality of Life in People Living With HIV

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic skin disease that has a significant impact on patients' lives. Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess factors that might influence the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with psoriasis. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 110 outpatients with psoriasis. To assess the HRQoL, The Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) and Skindex-29 were administered. Stressful life events during the last 12 months were assessed with Paykel's Interview for Recent Life Events. Results: HRQoL was significantly more impaired in older patients, those with age at onset of 40 years or more, who had a positive family history and who experienced stressful life events in the 12 months preceding the interview. Sex and clinical severity were not significantly related to patients' HRQoL. Conclusion: Psoriasis patients have poorer HRQoL than the general population. This study supports the decision to use both generic and skin-specific instruments to assess the impact of psoriasis on HRQoL.

Download Full-text

Is Atopy Related to Neuroticism, Stress, and Subjective Quality of Life?

Archives of Industrial Hygiene and Toxicology ◽

10.2478/10004-1254-60-2009-1899 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 60 (1) ◽

pp. 99-107 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Biserka Radošević-Vidaček ◽

Adrijana Košćec ◽

Marija Bakotić ◽

Jelena Macan ◽

Jasminka Bobić

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Skin Prick Test ◽

Life Events ◽

Stressful Life Events ◽

Stressful Life ◽

Positive Skin Prick Test ◽

Subjective Quality Of Life ◽

Positive Skin ◽

Prick Test

Is Atopy Related to Neuroticism, Stress, and Subjective Quality of Life?Different psychosocial characteristics have been associated with allergic disorders. The aim of this study was to examine whether atopic constitution and reports of allergic symptoms were related to personality trait of neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events and estimates of quality of life. Atopy was determined by skin prick test and reports of nasal and pulmonary allergy-related symptoms. Actively working individuals of both genders took part in the study (n=145, age range: 20 to 66 years). The participants were divided in three groups. The first group was composed of those with negative skin prick test and without symptoms (n=57), the second of those with positive skin prick test but without symptoms (n=28), and the third of those with positive skin prick test and symptoms (n=60). The groups did not differ significantly in neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events, or quality of life. Women reported more pronounced neuroticism and anxiety, higher exposure to stressful life events, and were less satisfied with their environment than men. In our sample of active workers we found no association of neuroticism, exposure to stressful life events, and quality of life with atopy and allergic symptoms.

Download Full-text

Quality of Life in People Living With HIV: An Exploratory Cross-Sectional Survey in Belgium

AIDS Education and Prevention ◽

10.1521/aeap.2021.33.3.249 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (3) ◽

pp. 249-264

Author(s):

Gert Scheerder ◽

Sandra Van den Eynde ◽

Patrick Reyntiens ◽

Ria Koeck ◽

Jessika Deblonde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Negative Impact ◽

Sexual Life ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Cross Sectional Survey ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Related Stigma ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

This cross-sectional survey explored the quality of life in 505 people living with HIV in Belgium. Several domains of quality of life were impaired: 26% had been diagnosed with depression and 43% had weak social support. HIV-related stigma is still widespread, with 49% believing most people with HIV are rejected and 65% having experienced discrimination due to HIV. The impact of HIV was limited on professional life, but 40% experienced a negative impact on life satisfaction and 41% a negative impact on sexual life. For several domains, people with a recent diagnosis of HIV and long-term survivors had significantly worse scores. This survey also uncovered strengths of people living with HIV, such as positive coping and HIV self-image. Expanding the scope of quality of life in people living with HIV may provide a more complete picture of relevant life domains that may be impacted by living with HIV, but this needs further validation.

Download Full-text

Aging, Health, and Quality of Life for Older People Living With HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Review and Proposed Conceptual Framework

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/0898264317724549 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 31 (1) ◽

pp. 109-138 ◽

Cited By ~ 10

Author(s):

Mark J. Siedner

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Conceptual Framework ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Sub Saharan ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact

Objective: The number of people living with HIV (PLWH) over 50 years old in sub-Saharan Africa is predicted to triple in the coming decades, to 6-10 million. Yet, there is a paucity of data on the determinants of health and quality of life for older PLWH in the region. Methods: A review was undertaken to describe the impact of HIV infection on aging for PLWH in sub-Saharan Africa. Results: We (a) summarize the pathophysiology and epidemiology of aging with HIV in resource-rich settings, and (b) describe how these relationships might differ in sub-Saharan Africa, (c) propose a conceptual framework to describe determinants of quality of life for older PLWH, and (d) suggest priority research areas needed to ensure long-term gains in quality of life for PLWH in the region. Conclusions: Differences in traditional, lifestyle, and envirnomental risk factors, as well as unique features of HIV epidemiology and care delivery appear to substantially alter the contribution of HIV to aging in sub-Saharan Africa. Meanwhile, unique preferences and conceptualizations of quality of life will require novel measurement and intervention tools. An expanded research and public health infrastructure is needed to ensure that gains made in HIV prevention and treamtent are translated into long-term benefits in this region.

Download Full-text

Impact of Mental wellbeing and Quality of Life on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA)

International Journal of Indian Psychology ◽

10.25215/0301.147 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Bhavna Mukund ◽

Rejani Thudalikunil Gopalan

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Well Being ◽

Mental Wellbeing ◽

People Living With Hiv ◽

Depression And Anxiety ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

The Impact ◽

Mental Well Being ◽

Hiv Aids

Background: People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) manifest a wide range of stress responses ranging from disbelief, denial, fear to extreme conditions of anxiety disorders, depression and even suicidal thoughts. These complications can have a significant impact on daily functioning and greatly diminish quality of life. Mental wellbeing and Quality of Life can help in better management of stress and facilitate adaptive coping among PLWHA. Aim: The research examined the impact of mental wellbeing and Quality of Life on Depression, Anxiety and Stress among people living with HIV/AIDS infection. Research Design: Cross sectional survey design was used. Sample: A sample of 60 people (males and females of equal number) over the age of 18 years and with the diagnosis for HIV/AIDS for more than six months participated in the study. Tools used: To assess the depression, anxiety and stress among PLWHA, DASS scale was used and to assess their psychological wellbeing, Warwick Edinburgh Mental Well-Being scale was used. In order to assess their present status of QOL regarding the illness, WHO’s QOL HIV-BREF Scale was used. Results: Majority of the PLWHA had moderate level of anxiety and mild level of depression after being diagnosed. Most of the participants have positive mental well-being and had enhanced quality of life. Conclusion: A direct effect of mental wellbeing has been found on the depression, anxiety and stress among PLWHA indicating that higher the mental wellbeing of the PLWHA, the greater is the likelihood that they do not suffer from depression, exhibit less anxiety and are living a stress free life and vice versa. The study also found direct impact of QOL on psychological distress, depression and anxiety among PLWHA i.e. poor QOL of PLWHA makes them more prone to and vulnerable to stress, depression and anxiety and vice versa.

Download Full-text