HIV Symptoms

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 259-291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen J. Portillo ◽  
William L. Holzemer ◽  
Fang-Yu Chou

People with HIV/AIDS are a vulnerable group whose symptoms can seriously affect their quality of life. HIV/AIDS symptoms can result from the disease itself, from secondary complications of the disease, or from side-effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and other medications related to comorbidities. HIV symptoms are the single most important indicators for patients and practitioners. Symptoms prompt patients to seek medical attention and provide health care providers with essential clues about changes in health status and quality of life. Despite increased recognition of the importance of addressing symptoms among people with HIV/AIDS, few studies have examined the management of HIV symptoms. This chapter introduces HIV symptoms, reports on the methods of review, provides an overview of contextual issues including the literature on symptoms, issues related to symptom measures, theoretical foundations on symptom management, HIV-specific measures, non-HIV-specific measures, translation of findings into practice, and implications for future research and policy.

2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 390-401
Author(s):  
Lauren E. Smith ◽  
Anna M. Maybach ◽  
Amanda Feldman ◽  
Austin Darling ◽  
Terrah Foster Akard ◽  
...  

Communication challenges frequently occur among families and health care providers of children with life-threatening conditions. These obstacles compound concerns related to children’s diagnoses and treatment, the family’s quality of life, and delivery of care. Developmentally appropriate and validated methods of addressing the communication preferences of families with chronically ill children are limited. This study used six focus groups to determine child and parent preferences and styles of communication centering on new diagnoses and changes in prognosis. Hypothetical situations were used to minimize feelings of self-consciousness among school-aged and adolescent participants. Qualitative analyses (interrater reliability 75%) of child and parent responses revealed 3 categories and 11 subcategories or themes. The category of Characteristics of Communication Exchange included (1) how to tell, (2) who should tell, (3) when to tell, (4) who should be included, and (5) what to tell. The Knowledge and Understanding category included themes of (1) side effects of treatment, (2) what children understand, and (3) questions when being diagnosed. The category of Feelings and Emotions included themes of (1) feelings about changes in prognosis, (2) children’s feelings on being informed, and (3) coping and emotional regulation. Results reveal a need for developmentally appropriate, evidence-based education to inform parents on how, what, and when to communicate information concerning their child’s disease, as well as instructions around facilitating those discussions. Moreover, a need for professional education and training programs for providers is demonstrated by some parental dissatisfaction with bedside manner and disclosure of information. The data collected from this study lay a foundation for future research in communication as a principal factor in quality of life for pediatric patients and their families.


2004 ◽  
Vol 58 (5) ◽  
pp. 501-506 ◽  
Author(s):  
CHENG-FANG YEN ◽  
JIH-JIN TSAI ◽  
PO-LIANG LU ◽  
YEN-HSU CHEN ◽  
TUN-CHIEN CHEN ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lahai ◽  
Peter B. James ◽  
Noel N. Wannang ◽  
Haja R. Wurie ◽  
Sorie Conteh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Non-compliance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can lead to sub-therapeutic drug concentrations in children leading to emergence of drug resistance and poor quality of life in children with HIV/AIDS. This study assess the response of caregivers for determination of the percentage adherence, child and caregivers’ demographics and related characters to the four domains of quality of life in children (aged 14 years and under) on HAART. Methods A cross-sectional survey was done for 188 paediatric patients accompanied by their caregivers’ attending Ola During Children’s Hospital and Makeni Government Hospital between September and November 2016 in Sierra Leone with ethical approval obtained from the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Committee; Directorate of Policy and Planning, Ministry of Health and Sanitation. Adherence to HAART was measured as no indication of a missed dose in the past week or month using three adherence questions on dose in the past week or month. Quality of life was assessed using the four domains of the Quality of life summary questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF) as the dependent variable and the demographic characteristics of caregiver and child as the independent variable. Inferential test was used to determine the association between variables and the regression model to determine association of significant variables to the four domains of the WHOQOL BREF. Results The study showed 5.9% adherence among 188 paediatric HIV/AIDs patients. Caregiver HIV status and caregiver type were also found to be associated with quality of life domains with high mean values for HIV positive caregivers and caregiver type that included a member of the nuclear family (father, mother or siblings). Conclusion This study showed strong association for involvement of caregiver that includes the nuclear family, caregiver’s knowledge of their HIV status and adherence to HAART. Therefore, these factors can improve the quality of life of paediatric HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lahai ◽  
Peter Bai. James ◽  
Noel N. Wannang ◽  
Haja R. Wurie ◽  
Sorie Conteh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Poor compliance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can result in poor quality of life in children living with HIV/AIDS because of low plasma drug concentration and the possibility of drug resistance. This study evaluates the response of caregivers for determination of adherence and the four quality of life domains in children (aged 14 years and under) on HAART. Methods Cross-sectional study of 188 children accompanied by their caregivers’ at Ola During Children’s Hospital and Makeni Government Hospital between September and November 2016, with ethical approval obtained from the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Committee. Adherence to HAART and Quality of life was assessed using the WHO Quality of life summary questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). Results The study revealed 5.9% adherence amongst pediatric patients. Caregiver HIV status and caregiver type was also found to be associated with quality of life domains with high mean values for HIV positive caregivers and caregiver type that includes any member of the nuclear family (father, mother or siblings). Conclusion This study showed strong association for involvement of caregiver that includes the nuclear family, caregiver’s knowledge of their HIV status and adherence to HAART. Therefore, involvement of any member of the nuclear family, HIV positive parents living positively with HIV/AIDS and good adherence to therapy can improve the quality of life of pediatric HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy.


Author(s):  
Eva Visser ◽  
Brenda Leontine Den Oudsten ◽  
Taco Gosens ◽  
Paul Lodder ◽  
Jolanda De Vries

Abstract Background The course and corresponding characteristics of quality of life (QOL) domains in trauma population are unclear. Our aim was to identify longitudinal QOL trajectories and determine and predict the sociodemographic, clinical, and psychological characteristics of trajectory membership in physical trauma patients using a biopsychosocial approach. Methods Patients completed a questionnaire set after inclusion, and at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months follow-up. Trajectories were identified using repeated-measures latent class analysis. The trajectory characteristics were ranked using Cohen’s d effect size or phi coefficient. Results Altogether, 267 patients were included. The mean age was 54.1 (SD = 16.1), 62% were male, and the median injury severity score was 5.0 [2.0—9.0]. Four latent trajectories were found for psychological health and environment, five for physical health and social relationships, and seven trajectories were found for overall QOL and general health. The trajectories seemed to remain stable over time. For each QOL domain, the identified trajectories differed significantly in terms of anxiety, depressive symptoms, acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, Neuroticism, trait anxiety, Extraversion, and Conscientiousness. Discussion Psychological factors characterized the trajectories during 12 months after trauma. Health care providers can use these findings to identify patients at risk for impaired QOL and offer patient-centered care to improve QOL.


2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (6) ◽  
pp. 989-993
Author(s):  
Andrew Thomas ◽  
Annie Thomas

Acute and chronic digestive diseases are causing increased burden to patients and are increasing the United States health care spending. The purpose of this case report was to present how nonconfirmatory and conflicting diagnoses led to increased burden and suffering for a patient thus affecting quality of life. There were many physician visits and multiple tests performed on the patient. However, the primary care physician and specialists could not reach a confirmatory diagnosis. The treatment plans did not offer relief of symptoms, and the patient continues to experience digestive symptoms, enduring this burden for over 2 years. The central theme of this paper is to inform health care providers the importance of utilizing evidence-based primary care specialist collaboration models for better digestive disease outcomes. Consistent with patient’s experience, the authors propose to pilot/adopt the integrative health care approaches that are proven effective for treating digestive diseases.


2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Kenneth R. Katumba ◽  
Yoko V. Laurence ◽  
Patrick Tenywa ◽  
Joshua Ssebunnya ◽  
Agata Laszewska ◽  
...  

Abstract Background It is rare to find HIV/AIDS care providers in sub-Saharan Africa routinely providing mental health services, yet 8–30% of the people living with HIV have depression. In an ongoing trial to assess integration of collaborative care of depression into routine HIV services in Uganda, we will assess quality of life using the standard EQ-5D-5L, and the capability-based OxCAP-MH which has never been adapted nor used in a low-income setting. We present the results of the translation and validation process for cultural and linguistic appropriateness of the OxCAP-MH tool for people living with HIV/AIDS and depression in Uganda. Methods The translation process used the Concept Elaboration document, the source English version of OxCAP-MH, and the Back-Translation Review template as provided during the user registration process of the OxCAP-MH, and adhered to the Translation and Linguistic Validation process of the OxCAP-MH, which was developed following the international principles of good practice for translation as per the International Society for Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research’s standards. Results The final official Luganda version of the OxCAP-MH was obtained following a systematic iterative process, and is equivalent to the English version in content, but key concepts were translated to ensure cultural acceptability, feasibility and comprehension by Luganda-speaking people. Conclusion The newly developed Luganda version of the OxCAP-MH can be used both as an alternative or as an addition to health-related quality of life patient-reported outcome measures in research about people living with HIV with comorbid depression, as well as more broadly for mental health research.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Lahai ◽  
Peter Bai. James ◽  
Noel N. Wannang ◽  
Haja R. Wurie ◽  
Sorie Conteh ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Poor compliance to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) can result in the poor quality of life in children living with HIV/AIDS because of low plasma drug concentration and the possibility of drug resistance. This study evaluates the response of caregivers for determination of adherence and the four quality of life domains in children (aged 14 years and under) on HAART.Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 188 children, each accompanied by their caregivers at Ola During Children's Hospital and Makeni Government Hospital between September and November 2016. Adherence to HAART and Quality of life was assessed using the WHO Quality of life summary questionnaire (WHOQOL-BREF). We obtained ethical approval from the Sierra Leone Ethics and Scientific Review Committee. Results: The study revealed 5.9% adherence amongst paediatric patients, and a strong association of adherent patients(p=0.019*) to the physical health domain (mean=64.61 SD=8.1).Caregiver HIV status showed a strong association with the physical (mean=58.3, SD=11.7 and p=0.024*), and psychological health domains (mean=68.2, SD=14.7 and p=0.001). Caregiver type (mother/father/sibling) accompanying child to hospital also showed strong associated with the physical (mean=58.0, SD=10.6, p <0.001), psychological (mean 68.2 SD=14.81 p <0.001) and environmental health domains (mean=59.7, SD=13.47, p <0.001). Further regression analysis showed a strong association with physical health domain for HIV positive caregivers (p=0.014) and adherent paediatric patients (p=0.005). Nuclear family also showed a strong association with psychological (p<0.001) and environmental (p=0.001) health domains. Conclusion: This study showed a strong association between the quality of life domains and the involvement of nuclear family caregiver, HIV-positive caregiver and adherence to HAART. Our study suggests that the involvement of any member of the nuclear family, HIV positive parents and patient adherence to therapy can improve the quality of life of paediatric HIV/AIDS patients on highly active antiretroviral therapy in the two hospitals.


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