Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
9086735 | Journal of Pain and Symptom Management | 2005 | 10 Pages |
Abstract
Self-reports of 32 symptoms and their treatments were obtained from patients of three palliative care programs that provide services to seriously ill HIV patients (â¥95% AIDS) in Alabama (n = 47), Baltimore (n = 91), and New York City (n = 117). On average, patients reported 10.9 (SD = 7.6) to 12.7 (SD = 6.2) symptoms. Pain, lack of energy, and worrying were reported by a majority of patients at all sites, often with a high level of associated distress. For only four symptoms (pain, nausea, difficulty swallowing, and mouth sores) did half or more of patients at all sites experiencing the symptom also report treatment. Less than a third of patients experiencing 12 symptoms (five of six comprising a psychological subscale) reported treatment. Results show that despite the availability of more efficacious treatments, many HIV/AIDS patients continue to experience significant physical and psychological symptomatology. Many of those experiencing symptoms, however, do not perceive their symptoms as being treated.
Related Topics
Life Sciences
Neuroscience
Neurology
Authors
Daniel MS, Victoria H. PhD, Carla MD, Barbara MD, Peter MD, MPH, Katherine PhD, Irene MD, PhD,