People living with HIV/AIDS: body image and its important associations with mental health and BMI.

Patients on antiretroviral therapy face new challenges, such as bodily changes. We conducted a cross-sectional study with people living with HIV/AIDS. We investigate the self-perception of body image and its associations. Most of the patients reported negative self-perception of body image (NSPBI), being mostly women, up to 40 years old and with changes in BMI. NSPBI was associated with depressive symptoms and punctual alterations in the redistribution of body fat: face, abdomen and legs, subjects still little elucidated. Assessing neglected aspects can improve the way these patients see themselves, and come to understand the disease as only a part of their lives.

Aging, neurocognitive impairment and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

ABSTRACT Background/objective: There is an increasing number of older patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection due to the success of antiretroviral therapy, the improved prognosis and life expectancy of patients, and the higher number of new infections among older individuals. The main objective of the present study was to compare the characteristics of older human immunodeficiency virus patients with those of younger patients. Materials and methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study with human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who were treated at the Specialized Care Service (Serviço de Assistência Especializada) for human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in the city of Pelotas, South Brazil. Sociodemographic information as well as data on human immunodeficiency virus infection and treatment were collected. All participants underwent psychiatric and neurocognitive assessments, and their adherence to antiretroviral therapy was evaluated. Results: A total of 392 patients participated in the study, with 114 patients aged 50 years and older. The characteristics showing significant differences between older and younger human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, duration and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, currently undetectable viral load, and cognitive impairment. Compared to younger patients, older patients were at higher risk of exhibiting cognitive impairment [OR 2.28 (95% CI: 1.35-3.82, p = 0.002)] and of having increased adherence to antiretroviral therapy [OR 3.11 (95% CI: 1.67-5.79, p < 0.001)]. Conclusions: The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remained high in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients despite antiretroviral therapy. In the present study, the prevalence of this type of impairment was significantly higher in patients aged ≥50 years, most likely due to aging, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and a possible synergistic effect between these factors. Despite this higher prevalence, older patients exhibited higher rates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and of undetectable human immunodeficiency virus viral load.

Aging, neurocognitive impairment and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: There is an increasing number of older patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection due to the success of antiretroviral therapy, the improved prognosis and life expectancy of patients, and the higher number of new infections among older individuals. The main objective of the present study was to compare the characteristics of older human immunodeficiency virus patients with those of younger patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study with human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who were treated at the Specialized Care Service (Serviço de Assistência Especializada) for human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in the city of Pelotas, South Brazil. Sociodemographic information as well as data on human immunodeficiency virus infection and treatment were collected. All participants underwent psychiatric and neurocognitive assessments, and their adherence to antiretroviral therapy was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 392 patients participated in the study, with 114 patients aged 50 years and older. The characteristics showing significant differences between older and younger human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, duration and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, currently undetectable viral load, and cognitive impairment. Compared to younger patients, older patients were at higher risk of exhibiting cognitive impairment [OR 2.28 (95% CI: 1.35-3.82, p=0.002)] and of having increased adherence to antiretroviral therapy [OR 3.11 (95% CI: 1.67-5.79, p<0.001)]. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remained high in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients despite antiretroviral therapy. In the present study, the prevalence of this type of impairment was significantly higher in patients aged ≥50 years, most likely due to aging, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and a possible synergistic effect between these factors. Despite this higher prevalence, older patients exhibited higher rates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and of undetectable human immunodeficiency virus viral load.

Six-session caregiver psychoeducation on bipolar disorder: Does it bring benefits to caregivers?

AIM: To evaluate the impact of psychoeducational intervention on the levels of burden, of self-esteem and quality of life in caregivers of patients diagnosed with Bipolar Disorders. METHOD: In this randomized clinical trial, changes in degree of burden, levels of self-esteem and quality of life were evaluated. Caregivers could participate in the group of psychoeducation (six sessions) or usual treatment (without psychoeducation following a manual). RESULTS: There were no significant differences regarding levels of objective burden between groups. Both groups presented improvement in subjective burden scores throughout the interventions. Objective burden scores showed significant reduction in the usual treatment group (p = .003) and a trend toward decrease in the psychoeducational intervention (p = .081). There are no differences regarding improvement in perceived self-esteem and quality of life when comparing means between the groups with and without intervention. CONCLUSION: A six-session caregiver psychoeducational intervention on bipolar disorder did not bring benefits to caregiver's health. A longer longitudinal follow-up study would be crucial to see whether there were differences in degree of burden, perceived self-esteem and quality of life over time in caregivers.