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Fatigue in ambulatory AIDS patients
W Breitbart1, M V McDonald, B Rosenfeld
1Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York, USA.
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
|May 2, 1998
Summary
Fatigue is a common symptom in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients, affecting over half of those studied. This fatigue is linked to more physical symptoms, poorer quality of life, and increased psychological distress.
Area of Science:
- Medical research
- Clinical psychology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Fatigue is a frequently reported symptom in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease.
- Limited empirical research has investigated the prevalence and characteristics of fatigue in acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the frequency of fatigue in ambulatory AIDS patients.
- To identify medical and psychological correlates of fatigue in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 427 ambulatory AIDS patients.
- Patients were classified as experiencing fatigue or not based on specific symptom checklist responses.
- Data on medical history, psychological distress, and quality of life were collected via self-report inventories and clinical interviews.
Main Results:
- 54% of patients reported significant fatigue.
- Fatigue was more prevalent in women and patients with injection drug use or heterosexual transmission risk factors compared to homosexual contact.
- Fatigue correlated significantly with increased number of physical symptoms, HIV treatment, anemia, pain, poorer physical functioning, greater psychological distress, and lower quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Fatigue is a common and significant symptom experienced by ambulatory AIDS patients.
- Fatigue is associated with substantial physical and psychological morbidity, impacting overall well-being and quality of life.