Cosby C, Tokumoto J, Kramer P, Stringari S, Tolmachoff F, Molaghan JB; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 1026 (abstract no. 60149).

University of California, San Rafael 94903, USA.

BACKGROUND: Anemia in disseminated Mycobacterium-avium complex (dMAC) infection is common and associated with poor prognosis. The association between anemia, functional status, symptoms and quality of life (QoL) in AIDS patients is not well defined. OBJECTIVES: To assess the correlation between hematocrit (Hct) levels, Karnofsky Performance (KP) scores and patient self-reports of fatigue, shortness of breath (SOB) and overall QoL in AIDS patients with anemia and dMAC infection who were not on AZT. METHODS: A 16 wk open-label treatment program with recombinant erythropoietin (r-HUEPO) 25 patients had a mean increase in Hct of 9.5%, SD 4.2 (p = 0.00). Hematologic measurements were taken every 4 wks and KP scores every wk. Weekly self-reports of fatigue, SOB, and overall QoL were done using Likert scales with patients and providers blinded to Hct at the time of scoring. Correlates of high and low Hcts were obtained. RESULTS: At low Hct levels (mean 27.7%, SD 2.95) correlates suggested a significant increase in fatigue (r = -0.45, p = 0.022), a significant increase in SOB (r = -0.37, p = 0.062) a significant decrease in QoL (r = 0.486, p = 0.011) but not a significant decrease in KP scores (r = 0.349, p = 0.101). At high Hct levels (mean 37.2%, SD 4.77), correlates suggested a significant decrease in fatigue (r = -0.53, p = 0.006) a significant decrease in SOB (r = -0.44, p = 0.025) a significant improvement in KP scores (r = 0.51, p = 0.014) but not a significant improvement in overall QoL (r = 0.25, p = 0.215). CONCLUSIONS: Low Hct levels were associated with reports of increased fatigue, increased SOB and a decreased overall QoL. High Hcts were associated with reports of decreased fatigue, decreased SOB and improved KP scores.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Activities of Daily Living
• Anemia
• Communicable Diseases
• Epoetin Alfa
• Erythropoietin, Recombinant
• Fatigue
• Hematocrit
• Humans
• Infection
• Life
• Quality of Life
• Zidovudine
• diagnosis
• rehabilitation

Other ID:

• 98407199

UI: 102232100

From Meeting Abstracts