Associations Between Influencing Factors, Perceived Symptom Burden, and Perceived Overall Function Among Adults Living With HIV.
Joan N Chukwurah, Joachim Voss, Susan R Mazanec and 2 others
PMID 32084038WHAT IT FOUND
Severe pain and depression were the strongest predictors of reduced overall function in adults living with HIV.
Low social support and temporary housing also predicted higher symptom burden, while social isolation was linked to greater tiredness and anxiety.
Key findings
01Only pain and depression were statistically significant predictors of overall function, with higher symptom burden associated with reduced function.
02Perceived social support predicted all symptoms except pain, with socially isolated participants reporting significantly higher tiredness and anxiety.
03Living in temporary housing was associated with significantly higher depression, anxiety, poor well-being, and drowsiness compared to permanent housing.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
The cross-sectional design prevents determining whether symptoms cause reduced function or vice versa. The sample was recruited from three sites in Cleveland, limiting generalizability to other regions. Participants were already engaged in medical care, so findings do not apply to those out of care. The study excluded people whose only comorbidity was depression, potentially skewing the depression data. The version of the symptom scale used did not define terms like 'well-being' or 'drowsiness', which may have led to inaccurate responses. The study lacked biomarker data such as CD4+ T-cell counts or AIDS status.
Declared interests
The authors report no real or perceived vested interests related to this article.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret the association between social support and reduced symptoms as evidence that increasing social support will directly improve function. The study is cross-sectional and cannot prove causation, and it did not test any interventions.