IMPACT OF DIARRHEA AND FECAL INCONTINENCE ON THE DAILY-LIFE OF HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

Diarrhoea in HIV-I infected persons is an important clinical problem. To improve care and counselling, information about the way, and the ex tent to which, diarrhoea influences the daily life of these patients c an be useful. A cross-sectional descriptive study was performed at the HIV infection clinic of three major hospitals in Amsterdam. A diary, the Coates card system (to determine the relative severity of the symp toms) and an interview were used as outcome measures. Sixty-two patien ts participated and were classified into four groups: group 1 (minor d iarrhoea, n = 26), group 2 (mild diarrhoea, n = 18), group 3 (moderate diarrhoea, n = 7) and group 4 (severe diarrhoea, n = II). Diarrhoea w as considered a very severe symptom in groups 2, 3 and 4. Even mild di arrhoea may have a debilitating impact on the day-to-day life of HIV-i nfected patients. Faecal incontinence occurs frequently. Patients can worry about their diarrhoea because of lack of information. Patients w ho do not have diarrhoea according to current definitions of it, consi der diarrhoea to be equally problematic as those with (moderate) diarr hoea. More information on prognosis and practical solutions for patien ts are recommended.