Factors Associated with Adequate Quality of Life Levels in HIV Patients During a Five-Year Longitudinal Study

Advances in antiretroviral therapy (ARV) have improved the life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLWH), shifting the focus to quality of life (QoL). However, aging, polypharmacy, and comorbidities pose challenges. This study aimed to evaluate the evolution of QoL over five years and identify associated sociodemographic, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic factors.

A single-center retrospective observational study was conducted in PLWH attending a tertiary hospital outpatient pharmacy. QoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic variables-including age, polypharmacy, comorbidities, and Medication Regimen Complexity Index (MRCI)-were analyzed. Multivariate logistic regression identified predictors of good QoL, defined as a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score ≥76.

A total of 437 PLWH were included with median age 52 years. The participants were majority male (82.8%). Throughout the study, mean VAS scores remained stable, with 63.7-73.4% of participants reporting good QoL each year. The most frequently reported issues were related to mobility (8.9%), pain/discomfort (5.1%), and anxiety/depression (3.0%). Multivariate analysis showed that advanced age (OR: 1.55, 95%CI: 1.14-2.11), polypharmacy (OR: 1.87, 95%CI: 1.35-2.59), comorbidities (OR: 2.13, 95%CI: 1.76-2.89), and socioeconomic problems (OR: 2.47, 95%CI: 1.44-4.21) were significantly associated with lower QoL.

Aging, polypharmacy, and socioeconomic disparities significantly impact QoL in PLWH. Integrating QoL assessments into routine care and addressing these factors through comprehensive management strategies could enhance long-term well-being.