CORRELATES OF FATIGUE IN HIV-INFECTION PRIOR TO AIDS - A PILOT-STUDY

Fatigue is widely recognized as a significant source of morbidity in p ersons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, yet there ar e few data examining fatigue in this population. We present pilot data assessing the relationship between fatigue and various physical and p sychosocial measures in 20 men with HIV infection prior to the clinica l development of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Fatigue wa s measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS) and the Fatigue Assessment Inventory (FAI). No statistically significant associations were found between fatigue measures and physical parameters including haemoglobi n, haematocrit, albumin, total protein, and physical dimension score o f the Sickness Impact Profile (SIP). The FAI correlated well with Beck 's Depression Inventory and SIP - Psychosocial Dimension (r = 0.72 and 0.81, respectively; p < 0.001.) Both the FAI and VAS held moderate as sociations with the total SIP score. The SIP profile was similar to th at observed in a sample of persons with chronic fatigue but without HI V infection, reported previously. Although the sample size is small, o ur data suggest a stronger association with psychosocial, rather than physical, parameters among persons with HIV infection and fatigue. The implications for clinical management and further research are discuss ed.