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Lifestyle Choices and Outcomes Among Men with HIV Infection: A Longitudinal Study

Uphold CR, Zheng E, Van den, Jia H, Wu SS, Vogel WB, Duncan PW. Lifestyle Choices and Outcomes Among Men with HIV Infection: A Longitudinal Study. Poster session presented at: American Public Health Association Annual Meeting and Exposition; 2005 Dec 12; Philadelphia, PA.

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Abstract:

Background: Little is known about health promotion during HIVAIDS. The objective was to determine whether lifestyle choices (health-promoting, risk behaviors) among men with HIV infection are associated with health-related quality of life (HRQOL), immune status, and viral loads over time. Methods: Men attending three clinics (N = 226) completed questionnaires at baseline and 12-months. Blood specimens (CD4+ T-cells, na ve T-cells, memory T-cells, viral loads) were analyzed every 4 months. Mixed linear models with repeated measures examined the effects of lifestyle choices at baseline on each outcome, after adjusting for age, race/ethnicity, education, and comorbidity. Results: About half of the men (n = 120) were tobacco users, whereas 54 (24%) and 66 men (29%) were hazardous drinkers and drug users, respectively. Baseline health-promoting behaviors were positively associated with HRQOL outcomes (physical health, mental health, overall quality of life) at each time point (p < 0.0001). Hazardous alcohol drinkers had lower physical health and overall HRQOL (p < 0.05) only at baseline. Hazardous drinkers' viral loads increased over time, whereas nondrinkers' viral loads decreased (p < 0.05). Recreational drug and tobacco use were not associated with outcomes. Na ve T-cells and HRQOL outcomes increased over time (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Health-promoting behaviors were associated with improvements in HQROL over time. Hazardous alcohol drinking, but not tobacco or drug use, was associated with outcomes. Relatively straight forward interventions such as behavioral counseling to improve lifestyle choices may positively impact HRQOL. Over 12 months, HQROL and na ve T-cells increased, which offers hope to patients of a potential upward trend in the HIV disease trajectory.





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