Evaluation of Health-Related Quality of Life Over a Six-Month Period in Newly Diagnosed People Living with HIV.

INTRODUCTION/

OBJECTIVE

HIV infection has transitioned from a fatal disease to a manageable chronic condition due to effective antiretroviral therapy (ART). While life expectancy has increased, there is a growing need to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) as part of comprehensive HIV care. This study evaluated changes in HRQoL during the first six months after diagnosis among individuals newly diagnosed with HIV.

METHODS

This prospective observational study was conducted at a tertiary care hospital in Türkiye and included 81 newly diagnosed adults living with HIV. HRQoL was assessed using the WHOQOL-HIV Bref scale at baseline (n = 81), month 3 (n = 70), and month 6 (n = 81). Longitudinal changes were analysed using repeated-measures ANOVA or Friedman tests, with paired t-tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests for pairwise comparisons, as appropriate. The Minimal Clinically Important Difference (MCID) was calculated using anchor-based and distribution-based methods, and logistic regression was used to examine factors associated with anchor-defined perceived clinical improvement.

RESULTS

The overall HRQoL score increased from 14.12 at baseline to 14.80 at month 3 and 14.90 at month 6. Significant improvements over the six-month period were observed in physical health (p = 0.006), environment (p = 0.011), and overall HRQoL (p = 0.021). Higher overall HRQoL scores were associated with greater odds of anchor-defined perceived clinical improvement (CI+) at month 3 (OR = 2.34, 95% CI: 1.56-4.03, p < 0.001) and month 6 (OR = 2.39, 95% CI: 1.52-4.60, p = 0.002).

DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that HRQoL may improve during early follow-up after HIV diagnosis and initiation of ART, particularly in physical health. Early HRQoL assessment may also complement virological monitoring by capturing patient-centred information during the first months after HIV diagnosis.

CONCLUSION

Beyond treatment access and virological suppression, improving HRQoL should be considered an important goal in HIV care. Strengthening social support systems, reducing stigma, and integrating multidisciplinary approaches may help support progress towards the Fourth 90 targets.