Effects of Lipodystrophy on Quality of Life and Depression in HIV-Infected Men on HAART

Abstract

The aim of the study was a prospective assessment of the possible consequences of a diagnosis of lipodystrophy on health-related quality of life (HRQL) and depressive symptomatology in HIV-seropositive men who have sex with men. A standardized physical assessment for lipodystrophy was introduced within a prospective study in April 1999. Over a 2-year follow- up, 37 HIV-seropositive men who met the criteria for lipodystrophy were longitudinally compared to 92 HIV-seropositive men without lipodystrophy and 88 HIV-seronegative men on measures of HRQL and depression. A series of questionnaires, which included the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form 36 (SF-36) and the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D), were administered to assess HRQL and depression, respectively. SF-36 scores were summarized using the mental and physical components; CES-D results were reported as both dichotomous (with or with clinical depression) and continuous scores. Neither the mental nor physical components of the SF-36 showed any significant differences between patients with lipodystrophy versus HIV-seropositive patients without lipodystrophy. Similarly, lipodystrophy status was not significantly associated with either continuous depression scores or presence of clinical depression. However, consistent with previous results, HIV-seropositive men without lipodystrophy (compared to HIV-seronegative men) reported higher scores on both components of the SF-36 scales and both categorizations of the CES-D. The results of this study suggest that lipodystrophy does not negatively affect HRQL or depression, above and beyond, the diagnosis of HIV infection, although the impact of the severity of lipodystrophy on these conditions will require further study.

Risk Factors for Drinking among HIV-Positive African American Adults: The Depression–Gender Interaction

“…The CES-D scale can be used as an indicator of “clinical” depression through the use of cutoff scores; it is also effective as a continuous measure to assess the amount of depressive symptoms (26,27). Responses are given on a 4-point Likert scale (1 = rarely or none of the time and 4 = Most or all of the time ).…”

Health-related Quality of Life Assessment after Antiretroviral Therapy: A Review of the Literature

“…It can also affect their adherence to medications. There have been several studies that have sought to define the impact of lipodystrophy on HRQOL [148, 150–154] as well as studies that have looked at interventions for lipodystrophy [150, 155–167]. …”

The effects of exercise training on quality of life in HAART-treated HIV-positive Rwandan subjects with body fat redistribution

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