HIV-related neurological syndromes reduce health-related quality of life

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection frequently results in neurological complications but the impact of different neurological syndromes on patients' quality of life remains unknown.

Methods: We investigated health-related quality of life (HRQoL) parameters among HIV/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) patients with and without neurological disease, including 11 dimensions of HRQoL within the Medical Outcomes Short-form Health Survey-HIV.

Results: Comparisons of sociodemographic and systemic clinical variables did not differ between HIV/AIDS patients with (n=94) and without (n=75) neurological disease. However, patients with neurological diseases exhibited significantly lower HRQoL scores compared to matched controls, which was most evident among HIV/AIDS patients with cognitive impairment and sensory neuropathy. Prospective analysis revealed diminishing HRQoL scores prior to neurological diagnosis followed by a progressive and sustained improvement in HRQoL scores after intervention over a 96-week period.

Conclusions: These studies indicate that while HIV-related neurological diseases are associated with reduced HRQoL scores, enhanced neurological care has a positive impact on HIV/AIDS patients' overall well-being.