Amsterdam 2015
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| Abstract #2163 - Sisters unite - Women and HIV | ||||
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Session: 43.2: Sisters unite - Women and HIV (Parallel) on Thursday @ 16.30-18.00 in C002 Chaired by Authors: Presenting Author: Ms Guillemette Quatremère - AIDES, France, Metropolitan |
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| Additional Authors: | ||||
| Aim: Common side effects experienced by people living with chronic diseases have a major impact on their quality of life. Talking about side effects to their doctors and finding ways to deal with could be difficult. The survey EVE was designed during a gathering of women living with HIV organised by the French CBO, AIDES, in 2011 in order to improve dialogue with medical providers. | ||||
| Method / Issue: Researchers, medical doctors and women living with HIV have worked together on the survey in a community-based approach. The AIDS Clinical Trial Groups scale of symptoms was expanded to 23 side effects, their impacts on professional, social and private lives, and the patient-doctor relationship for dealing with them. On-line questionnaires were accessed through a community-based website. Paper forms were available in AIDES offices. Associated factors were identified using logistic regression models. | ||||
| Results / Comments: From September 2013 to September 2014, 315 women took part in the study (median age 48 yrs.71% born in France, 48% in financial difficulty). The median duration of HIV infection was 18 years, 95.5% were on HIV medication (median duration 14 years), 19% with hepatitis coinfection, HIV care was mainly provided in hospital. All respondents reported at least one side effect. The median number of side effects experienced in the last twelve months was 13 (IQR 9-17). The most frequent side effects were fatigue (90% of women) and pain (77%). Bothering gastrointestinal symptoms, and change in body, were reported by 70%, and 65%, respectively. Overall 82% of women who reported fatigue have talked about it with their doctor, whereas only 28% of those experiencing sexual problems (55% of women) did so. One women over four reported episode of ARV therapy modification (i.e. dose reduction, spacing out ARVs) to alleviate side effects, and among them, only 27% did so after talking with their doctor. ARV reduction was associated with the number of side effects (OR, 1.1 95%CI, 1.0-1.2). Women who reported financial difficulties were more likely to report ARV reduction (OR, 1.8 95%CI, 1.0-3.3). Coping with side effects was acknowledged by 55% of women mainly through physical activity (27%), physiotherapy or manual therapy (24%), diet changes (26%), or alternative therapy such homeopathy or herbal medicines (13%). | ||||
| Discussion: In this non-representative sample, women reported a large number of common side effects. Our survey showed that talking to one’s doctor about common side effects which affect daily life remains difficult for women living with HIV. Prevention of HIV medication modification without prior discussion is warranted. Information on the continuation of common side effects could participate to improve patient-doctor relationship by supporting the isolated women in the disclosure of their problems, and as a booster of the benefit of medical providers’ listening. Different options for coping with symptoms should be expanded and discussed in open conversation. | ||||
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