Correlates of perception of HIV-related lipodystrophythe importance of fears and concerns

Zusammenfassung

Introduction HIV-associated lipodystrophy syndrome is a prevailing problem among people with HIV, causing them problems and stigma in social relationships. Goals This study was performed to research HIV related lipodystrophy correlates, especially treatment adherence variables associated to the perception of lipodystrophy, and to investigate its relationships with sex differences in people with HIV. Methods In a cross-sectional survey conducted with 706 people with HIV, participants described their self-perception of lipodystrophy and assessed their related fears and concerns it. Results Self-perception of lipoatrophy and lipohypertrophy was high in 35% and 25% of participants, respectively. In 27% of participants, fear to develop lipodystrophy highly affected adherence to treatment. Being woman, longer time since diagnosis and a lower positive affect were found good discriminating variables of high self-perception of lipodystrophy. Self-perception of lipodystrophy was higher in women than in men, and it affected worse to women. Discussion High lipodystrophy self-perception affected noteworthy treatment adherence. Sex differences revealed as an important factor to understand psychosocial effects of lipodystrophy on people with HIV. More research oriented to understand the aetiologic factors of lipodystrophy and its relations with gender, would provide the grounds for effective interventions designed to mitigate the stigmatic effects of lipodystrophy syndrome.