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PRINT ISSN : 2319-7692
Online ISSN : 2319-7706 Issues : 12 per year Publisher : Excellent Publishers Email : editorijcmas@gmail.com / submit@ijcmas.com Editor-in-chief: Dr.M.Prakash Index Copernicus ICV 2018: 95.39 NAAS RATING 2020: 5.38 |
This study has investigated the relationship between clinical parameters and functional status for activities of daily living (ADL) in 364 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Belém, northern Brazil. In total, 238 men (65.4%) and 126 women (34.6%) were enrolled in this survey. Most participants (87.4%) were considered with functional independence, 11.8% were semi-dependent and 0.8% were fully dependent. Tuberculosis, neurotoxoplasmosis and syphilis were the most common HIV-associated comorbidities and cumulative comorbidities were linked to lower independence. Low CD4+ count and long duration of HIV infection were both related to decreased independence. Women were more affected by low mood/demotivation than men, the last had higher employment rates and more access to higher education, which may have contributed to a better emotional status. We concluded that duration of HIV infection, low CD4+ count and history of HIV-associated comorbidities affects functional status and compromise the independence of PLWHA.