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Lipodystrophy-associated Symptoms and Medication Adherence in HIV/AIDS
Lipodystrophy-associated
manifestations remain a challenge for persons infected
with HIV disease and their care providers. Symptomatic HIV disease
and side effects of medications are implicated in antiretroviral
medication non adherence.
This study examined the relationship between time since initial
diagnosis with HIV, presence and type of lipodystrophic symptoms,
and adherence to medication regimens in persons with HIV/AIDS.
The sample was composed of 165 persons from three outpatient
HIV settings in Boston, Massachusetts; Fresno, California; and Victoria,
Texas.
Participants completed a questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic
questions, adherence scales, quality-of-life
scales, and open-ended questions regarding presence and types of
lipodystrophy-associated symptoms, and how these physical changes
made them feel.
Results
·
Adherence
was moderate with a mean score of 1 on the Morisky Medication Adherence
Scale (MMAS). The MMAS is a Likert-type scale ranging from 0-4,
with "0" indicating very adherent.
·
This
finding indicated that the participants took their medications moderately
well despite self-reports of significant numbers of HIV disease
and treatment-related body
fat changes.
·
Time
since initial diagnosis was 8.86 +/- 5.55 years and was not related
to adherence. Nor did the type of lipodystrophic symptoms affect
adherence.
·
Quality
of life however, was significantly related to adherence, suggesting
an approach that might be taken to improve adherence.
MGH Institute of Health Professions, Boston, Massachusetts.
09/26/05
Reference
I
B Corless and others. Lipodystrophy-Associated Symptoms and Medication
Adherence in HIV/AIDS. AIDS
Patient Care and STDS. 19(9): 577-586. September 2005.
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