Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Abstract
Title: Health-related Quality of Life in older HIV-infected adults.
Authors: Duarte N, Woods SP, Weber E, Weisz B, Grant I, Atkinson JH, and the HNRC Group
Year: 2010
Publication: 118th Annual Convention of the American Psychological Association, San Diego, CA
Volume: Issue: Pages:
Abstract:INTRODUCTION: Effective antiretroviral treatment has greatly extended the life expectancy of individuals infected with HIV; as a result there are a growing number of older adults living with HIV (CDC, 2008). Older age is associated with overall worse disease outcomes in individuals with HIV (e.g., Goodkin et al., 2001), including more rapid HIV disease progression (e.g., Goetz et al., 2001), increased HIV-related CNS complications (e.g., Valcour & McMurtray, 2009), and higher rates of mortality (Babiker et al., 2001). It is known that HIV-infection has a significant, adverse impact on health-related quality of life (e.g., Avis & Smith, 1998). Although older seronegative adults are also at risk for reduced quality of life (e.g., Zahran et al., 2005), the severity and predictors of health-related quality of life in older HIV-infected adults are not known. Piette et al. (1995) reported that older age was significantly associated with worse Physical Function, Social Function, and Health Perception in HIV disease; however the study sample contained only a small proportion of participants over the age of 50 (4.9%) and did not include seronegative comparison groups. As such, the aim of the current study was to examine the combined effects of HIV and older age on health-related quality of life scores in older and younger participants with and without HIV infection.

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