QUALITY-OF-LIFE ASSESSMENT AND HIV-INFECTION - A REVIEW

In the last few years, survival of patients infected with human immuno deficiency virus (HIV) has been improved because of a decreased incide nce of some opportunistic complications attributable to prophylactic t reatments and antiretroviral drugs. The impact of these agents should also be reflected in the quality of life (QoL) of patients. We have re viewed this topic with an emphasis on different types of measurements such as Q-TWIST, MOS and the Spitzer score which seem to be most appro priate for this patient population. We do not think that a special typ e of assessment should be designed for HIV-infected persons. It would be less time-consuming to improve already existing validated scores fo cusing on HIV infection. QoL in intravenous drug users with HIV should be evaluated more often.