Health-related quality of life among people with HIV disease: Results fromthe Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study

To examine the effect of HIV status, symptomatology and CD4+ lymphocyte lev el on health-related quality of life, the Medical Outcomes Study Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) was administered to 2,295 gay men enrolled in the Mu lticenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) in 1994. Distinct physical and mental he alth factors of the SF-36 were found. Seropositive asymptomatic individuals and seropositive individuals with CD4+ lymphocytes greater than or equal t o 500/mm(3) scored as well as seronegative participants on all of the menta l health domain scales, but lower on the general health perceptions and phy sical health composite score. Seropositive individuals with at least one sy mptom or with CD4+ lymphocytes below 200/mm(3) scored significantly lower o n all of the SF-36 scales and summary scores than seronegative controls. Th e SF-36 was found to exhibit similar mental and physical health factors for an adult gay male population to that previously seen in general population samples and in patient groups with other diseases. In conclusion, HIV-posi tive men who are asymptomatic or have CD4+ lymphocytes above 500/mm(3) have similar perceived mental health but worse perceived physical health than s eronegative men. HIV-positive men who are symptomatic or have CD4+ lymphocy tes below 200/mm(3) have worse perceived mental and physical health than se ronegative men.