| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Poster | | Title: Lower memory-related quality of life in older HIV-infected adults. | | Authors: Weber E, Woods S, Atkinson J, Grant I, and the HNRP Group | | Date: 10-16-2013 | | Abstract:Objective: Despite the propensity for HIV infection and normal aging to be associated with memory impairment and poorer quality of life (QoL), little is known about the direct effects of such cognitive deficits on QoL in older HIV-infected adults, a growing and vulnerable segment of the HIV-infected population.
Method: Participants included HIV-infected and healthy comparison adults, who were stratified by age group in a 2x2 design (i.e., oldHIV+ [n=103], youngHIV+ [n=64], oldHIV- [n=69], youngHIV- [n=63]). In context of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, all participants completed the Survey of Memory-Related Quality of Life (SMRQoL), a 30-item self-report questionnaire comprised of 15 prospective memory-specific (PM) and 15 retrospective memory-specific (RM) items linked to conventional QoL domains (i.e., general, mental health, physical functioning, social functioning, activities of daily living).
Results: An ANOVA revealed a significant effect of HIV/age group status on the SMRQoL total score (p<0.001), even when considering potential confounding factors on which the groups differed (e.g., depression). Planned comparisons revealed that the older HIV+ participants experienced significantly lower SMRQoL total scores relative to the other three study groups. Within the older HIV+ sample, the SMRQoL total score was significantly associated with poorer general health-related QoL, memory complaints, self-reported functional dependence, clinician-rated functional disability, and objective neurocognitive impairment (all ps<0.05).
Conclusions: Findings suggest that older HIV-infected adults may be particularly susceptible to diminished QoL due to self-perceived memory deficits, and highlight the need for cognitive rehabilitation efforts that may ultimately improve indices of daily living in this population. |
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