Symptom burden in HIV-infected adults at time of HIV diagnosis in rural Uganda

Wakeham, K., Harding, R., Bamukama-Namakoola, D., Levin, J., Kissa, J., Parkes-Ratanshi, R., Muzaaya, G., Grosskurth, H. and Lalloo, D. G. (2010) Symptom burden in HIV-infected adults at time of HIV diagnosis in rural Uganda. Journal of Palliative Medicine, 13(4), pp. 375-380. (doi: 10.1089/jpm.2009.0259)

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Abstract

Purpose: This study aimed to measure symptom burden prior to antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation in a population of adults with low CD4 presenting for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care and treatment in Uganda, and to explore the relationship between World Health Organization (WHO) stage, CD4 count, and symptomatology.

Methods: HIV-infected, ART-naïve adults with CD4 less than 200 cells per microliter referred from voluntary testing and counseling services in rural Uganda for potential enrollment into a large double-blinded placebo-controlled trial were invited to completed the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale-Short Form (MSAS-SF). This is a validated symptom assessment tool that records the presence and severity of 37 physical and 4 psychological symptoms.

Results: Two hundred twelve subjects were enrolled. The mean total number of symptoms was 14.0 (standard deviation [SD] = 6). The 10 most common symptoms were pain (76%), weight loss (70%), itching (67%), feeling drowsy/tired (61%), and lack of energy (61%), numbness /tingling in hands or feet (57%), cough (53%) skin changes (52%), worry (51%), and lack of appetite (49%). The median number of symptoms was not associated with WHO stage CD4 count group.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates that the burden of HIV-related symptoms in individuals presenting for care in Uganda is significant and debilitating.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Wakeham, Dr Katie
Authors: Wakeham, K., Harding, R., Bamukama-Namakoola, D., Levin, J., Kissa, J., Parkes-Ratanshi, R., Muzaaya, G., Grosskurth, H., and Lalloo, D. G.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
Journal Name:Journal of Palliative Medicine
Publisher:Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. Publishers
ISSN:1096-6218
ISSN (Online):1557-7740

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