Psychosocial correlates of quality of life in patients with HIV infection

Abstract

The present research was intended to investigate the relationship between psychosocial variables and QoL in an Italian sample of 100 HIV-infected patients who took part in a project concerning Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry and HIV infection. Correlation analysis among QoL and psychosocial variables are presented in Tables 1 and 2. General psychological stress (GSI) is seen to be negatively associated with total QoL and its single dimensions of Daily living and Support. As concerns the HAD, Daily living as well as Total QLI are negatively associated with depression. By analyzing coping strategies, it is found that Hopelessness, and in a minor way Fatalism, are significantly associated with low levels of Activity and Daily living. Similarly, personality factor of external locus of control is negatively associated with the same QLI dimensions. Social support, as measured by the SPS, is only weakly associated with QLI Support domain. A separate analysis was then conducted between “cases” (i.e. patients with a substantial level of psychopathological symptoms) and “non-cases” according to the HAD-Total cut-off score of 19 (Table 2). “Cases” reported lower scores on QLI Activity, Daily Living, Health and Total QLI. Furthermore, lower scores on social support and coping, and higher scores on the GSI and External Locus of Control are found in the “case” group compared to those in “non-case” ones. As regards clinical measures, significant statistical differences were found according to CDC group the patients belong. Patients in CDC group II had the highest levels of QoL, while those in CDC group III reported lower scores on all QLI dimensions except Support than those with AIDS. No difference was seen among the three groups on the psychological measures (GSI, HAD), coping, locus of control and social support. Psychosocial measures and QLI dimensions were not associated with CD4 and CD8 counts and the CD4/CD8 ratio. Karnofsky performance status was significantly associated with all QLI factors with the exception of Support