The benefits of care: treated HIV infection and health-related quality of life among older-aged people in Uganda
Lien Quach, Christine S. Ritchie, Alexander C. Tsai, Zahra Reynolds, Robert Paul, Janet Seeley, Yao Tong, Susanne S. Hoeppner, Samson Okello, Noeline Nakasujja, Brianne Olivieri‐Mui, Deanna Saylor, Meredith Greene, Stephen Asiimwe, Mark J. Siedner
Abstract
Objectives The objective of this study is to explore how HIV care affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among older people in Uganda.Methods We enrolled older-aged (≥49 years) people with HIV receiving HIV care and treatment, along with age- and sex-similar people without HIV. We measured health-related quality of life using the EQ-5D-3L scale.Results People with HIV (n = 298) and people without HIV (n = 302) were similar in median age (58.4 vs. 58.5 years), gender, and number of comorbidities. People with HIV had higher self-reported health status (b = 7.0; 95% confidence interval [CI], 4.2–9.7), higher EQ-5D utility index (b = 0.05; 95% CI, 0.02–0.07), and were more likely to report no problems with self-care (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 2.0; 95% CI, 1.2–3.3) or pain/discomfort (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI, 1.3–2.8). Relationships between HIV serostatus and health-related quality of life differed by gender, but not age.Conclusions Older people with HIV receiving care and treatment reported higher health-related quality of life than people without HIV in Uganda. Access to primary care through HIV programs and/or social network mobilization may explain this difference, but further research is needed to elucidate the mechanisms.