Quality of Life in Persons Living With HIV

This study investigated the effects of selected variables on quality of life (QOL) in persons living with HIV. Eighty-one HIV-positive adults completed a demographic questionnaire, the Sickness Impact Profile, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale, and a fatigue visual analog scale. Blood samples were collected for CD4+, CD8+, and CD16+ lymphocyte numbers. Based on an expanded psychoneuroimmunology model, hierarchical multiple regression analysis was used to determine the extent to which four blocks of variables predicted variance in quality of life. These included sociodemographics, depression, immune status, and fatigue. Findings revealed that work status, depression, and fatigue predicted 58% of the variance in QOL in persons with HIV. Findings support the need for routine assessment and management of depression and fatigue in persons living with HIV.