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Quality of life assessment and HIV infection: A review

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Abstract

In the last few years, survival of patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) has been improved because of a decreased incidence of some opportunistic complications attributable to prophylactic treatments and antiretroviral drugs. The impact of these agents should also be reflected in the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We have reviewed this topic with an emphasis on different types of measurements such as Q-TWIST, MOS and the Spitzer score which seem to be most appropriate for this patient population. We do not think that a special type of assessment should be designed for HIV-infected persons. It would be less time-consuming to improve already existing validated scores focusing on HIV infection. QoL in intravenous drug users with HIV should be evaluated more often.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine and Research Centre of Hôtel-Dien de Montréal, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, University of Montreal, Canada

    Philippe Vanhems & Raynald Pineault

  2. Department of Microbiology & Infectious Diseases, Hôtel-Dieu de Montréal, University of Montreal, Canada

    Emil Toma

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  1. Philippe Vanhems
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  2. Emil Toma
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Correspondence to Philippe Vanhems.

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Vanhems, P., Toma, E. & Pineault, R. Quality of life assessment and HIV infection: A review. Eur J Epidemiol 12, 221–228 (1996). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00145409

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