Health-related Quality of Life Characteristics in Individuals With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

 In chronic and incurable illnesses, the quality of life and its related factors are of significant importance. We aimed to investigate the predictors of Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-positive individuals.

 Our sample included 90 HIV-infected individuals who were under Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) in Imam Khomeini Hospital of Tehran, Iran, in 2016-2017. The HRQoL questionnaire, Prospective-Retrospective Memory Questionnaire (PRMQ), Instrumental Activities of Daily Living (IADL) interview, and flowcytometry test to assess CD4 count were used for data gathering. The obtained data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency and standard deviation and inferential statistics, including correlation and stepwise regression analyses. SPSS was used for data analysis, as well.

The present study data revealed that prospective/retrospective memory complaint and daily living functioning were predictors HRQoL in individuals with HIV (P<0.001, F2,85=22.70, R2 adj=0.55). The collected data also suggested that CD4 count, viral load, gender, age, and education did not predict HRQoL in the explored HIV-positive individuals (P>0.05). 

 Prospective and retrospective memory and daily living functioning were the major predictors of HRQoL among the investigated HIV-infected individuals.