Comparison of the study findings: Male & female HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE AND NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF PATIENTS WITH HIV INFECTION _ A DUBLIN HIV COHORT STUDY S George¹, S Keating², F Lyons², F Mulcahy², G Courtney², S Clarke², C Bergin², M Gibney³, M Codd¹ ¹ School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Population Studies, University College, Dublin, ² GUIDE Clinic, St. James Hospital, Dublin, ³ Institute of Food and Nutrition, University College, Dublin RESULTS Participants: Total n = 102 Male = 80 (78.4 %) Female = 22 (21.6 %) Age : Mean (+ sd) = 41 ( + 8.8) years Ethnicity : Caucasians : 85 % African Black : 13 % Other : 2 % BMI : Mean (+ sd) = 25.4 (+ 4.3) Kg/m² Treatment Status : 95 % on ART HRQOL Results Health-related Quality of life Mean Summary Scores : Physical Health = 52.5 (+ 8.8) Mental Health = 48.9 (+ 11.5) Summary of Total Scores for each Dimension Comparison of the study findings: Male & female INTRODUCTION Increased availability of ART reduced HIV-related morbidity and mortality Taking lifetime treatment with potential adverse effects may affect their HRQOL “Improving patient’s QOL” is one of the therapeutic objectives of HIV treatment HIV- Initially known as “slim disease” with excessive wt loss. But now the problem is weight gain & associated complications “Screening for nutritional status and assessment of dietary intake should be included routinely in HIV treatment and care of adults and children” (WHO April 2005) Male Female Physical Health Summary Score 53.3 49.9 Mental Health Summary Score 49.4 46.9 Under Wt (BMI < 20 Kg/m²) 2.5 % 18.2 % Desirable Wt (BMI 20 - 25 Kg/m²) 53.7 % 36.4 % Over Wt (BMI > 25 - 30 Kg/m²) 31.3 % 22.7 % Obese (BMI > 30 Kg/m²) 12.5 % Low Risk of Malnutrition 95 % 77.3 % Medium Risk of malnutrition 13.6 % High Risk of malnutrition 9.1 % AIMS To assess: HRQOL of patients with HIV infection living in Ireland The prevalence of malnutrition among the patients with HIV infection in Ireland METHODS Administrative, Demographic & Clinical data are collected from 102 Patients and their Clinical records using CRF HRQOL data are collected using Medical Outcomes Study HIV (MOS-HIV) Survey Questionnaire Patient’s BMI, unplanned weight loss and history of lack of food intake are recorded from patients and Clinical records. Nutritional status and prevalence of malnutrition is assessed using Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST). This is a five-step screening tool to identify adults, who are malnourished, at risk of malnutrition, or obese. It also includes management guidelines which can be used to develop a care plan. SUMMARY Patients with HIV infection reported an average PHS Score of 52.5 and MHS Score of 48.9 (Total score ranges from 0-100, higher the score better the quality of life). Females reported a lower PHS Score (49.9) and MHS Score (46.9) compared to males. PHS Score difference was statistically significant (p < 0.02). Screening with MUST identified that only 50% of the patients have normal BMI (20-25 Kg/m²) and 44% are over weight or obese. 53.7% of males had normal BMI whereas only 36.4% of females had normal BMI Females have higher rate of medium risk (13.6 %) and high risk (9.1 %) of malnutrition compared to males. CONCLUSION Patients with HIV infection have similar PHS to the general population. MHS is lower than general population Females had both lower PHS and MHS than males This study identified potential physical and mental health issues in female patients. The prevalence of malnutrition especially in females highlights the need for screening and management of nutritional issues and associated complications in HIV patients REFERENCES Wu, A. W., Ed. (1999). MOS-HIV Health Survey Users Manual. John Hopkins University. 2. Elia, M. (2003). The MUST Report. National screening of adults: a multidisciplinary responsibility. Executive Summary, Malnutrition Advisory Group; A Standing Committee of BAPEN.