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

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.