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Gender and Age Differences in Quality of Life and the Impact of Psychopathological Symptoms Among HIV-Infected Patients

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Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine gender and age differences and interaction effects on the quality of life (QoL) domains in a sample of Portuguese HIV-positive patients, and to examine to what degree psychopathological symptoms are associated with QoL in addition to sociodemographic and clinical variables. The sample consisted of 1191 HIV-positive patients, and measures included the WHOQOL-HIV-Bref and the Brief Symptom Inventory. Controlling for clinical status, there was a significant effect of gender on QoL. Women reported lower scores of Psychological and Spirituality QoL. Younger patients reported higher scores on Physical and Level of Independence domains. Age by gender interactions emerged on all domains of QoL except on the Level of Independence domain. Overall, women over 45 years old showed lower QoL scores. Psychopathological symptoms contributed significantly to the variance of all QoL domains. Gender differences in the association of HIV infection with QoL and psychopathological symptoms seemed to be modulated by age. Understanding gender and age differences (and their interaction) may provide potentially useful information for planning interventions to improve QoL and mental health among people infected with HIV/AIDS, especially among older women.

Resumen

El objetivo de este estudio fue determinar las diferencias de género y de edad y los efectos de interacción en los dominios de la calidad de vida (CdV) en una muestra de pacientes portugueses VIH-positivos, y examinar en qué grado los síntomas psicopatológicos están asociados a la CdV, además de las variables sociodemográficas y clínicas. La muestra consistió en 1191 pacientes VIH-positivos y las medidas incluyeron el WHOQOL-HIV-Bref y el Brief Symptom Inventory. Controlando la situación clínica, hubo un efecto significativo del género en la CdV. Las mujeres reportaron puntuaciones más bajas en los dominios de CdV Psicológica y Espiritualidad. Los pacientes más jóvenes reportaron puntaciones más altas en los dominios Físico y Nivel de Independencia. Las interacciones edad por género surgieron en todos los dominios de CdV, excepto en el Nivel de Independencia. En general, las mujeres con más de 45 años mostraron puntuaciones más bajas de CdV. Los síntomas psicopatológicos contribuyeran significativamente a la varianza de todos los dominios de la CdV. Las diferencias de género en la asociación de la infección por el VIH con la CdV y los síntomas psicopatológicos parecen ser moduladas por la edad. Entender las diferencias de género y edad (y su interacción) puede proporcionar información útil para la planificación de las intervenciones para mejorar la CdV y la salud mental entre las personas infectadas con el VIH/SIDA, especialmente entre las mujeres de edad.

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Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Coordenação Nacional para a Infecção VIH/sida (Ref. 5-1.8.4/2007) and was developed within the “Relationships, Development & Health” research line of the Institute of Cognitive Psychology, Vocational and Social Development, R&D Unit of the University of Coimbra (FEDER/POCTI-SFA-160-192).

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  1. Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BPD/44435/2008), Institute of Cognitive Psychology, Vocational and Social Development, University of Coimbra, Rua do Colégio Novo, Apartado 6153, 3001-802, Coimbra, Portugal

    Marco Pereira

  2. Faculty of Psychology and Educational Sciences, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal

    Maria Cristina Canavarro

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Pereira, M., Canavarro, M.C. Gender and Age Differences in Quality of Life and the Impact of Psychopathological Symptoms Among HIV-Infected Patients. AIDS Behav 15, 1857–1869 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-011-9928-8

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