Biomedical subjects

Kenn M Kirksey

Publications and source records attributed to Kenn M Kirksey.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2005

Lipodystrophy and quality of life in HIV: symptom management issues.

The purpose of this study was to examine the incidence and prevalence of lipodystrophy-related symptoms in persons with HIV ( n = 165) and to determine the impact of these symptoms on health-related quality of life. Since the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy in HIV, the quality of life of persons is affected across the spectrum of the disease. The sample was composed of 165 persons from three national outpatient HIV settings (clinics and community-based organizations) in Boston, MA, Fresno, CA, and Victoria, TX. The descriptive, cross-sectional study included self-report instruments measuring lipodystrophy-associated symptom presence, intensity, and quality of life. The sample was primarily male (75.8%), with ethnicity represented across several groups including African American (30.9%), Hispanic/Latino (26.7%), White/Anglo (38.8%), Native American/Indian (1.8%), and other (1.8%). On quality-of-life measures, only 7.9% of the sample indicated excellent health, 28.5% indicated very good health, 22.4% indicated good health, and more than 40% indicated fair or poor health. Most of the participants indicated that aspects of their quality of life have equally good and bad parts (37.6%). Quality of life was significantly correlated with adequacy of income ( r = .241, p = .002), most recent CD4 count ( r = -.276, p = .012), and most recent viral load value ( r = .379, p = .019). In addition, bodily pain was significantly correlated with most recent CD4 count ( r = -.312, p = .004) and with lowest CD4 count ( r = -.191, p = .050). The results of the study indicate that quality of life is affected by HIV symptoms and that lipodystrophy-related symptoms may negatively affect quality of life.

Adult↗

PubMed2005

Lipodystrophy-associated symptoms and medication adherence in HIV/AIDS.

Lipodystrophy-associated manifestations remain a challenge for persons infected with HIV disease and their care providers. Symptomatic HIV disease and side effects of medications are implicated in antiretroviral medication nonadherence. This study examined the relationship between time since initial diagnosis with HIV, presence and type of lipodystrophic symptoms, and adherence to medication regimens in persons with HIV/AIDS. Using a cross-sectional, descriptive design, the sample was composed of 165 persons from three outpatient HIV settings in Boston, Massachusetts; Fresno, California; and Victoria, Texas. Participants completed a questionnaire comprised of sociodemographic questions, adherence scales, quality-of-life scales, and open-ended questions regarding presence and types of lipodystrophy-associated symptoms, and how these physical changes made them feel. Adherence was moderate with a mean score of 1.44 (standard deviation [SD] +/- 1.33) on the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS). The MMAS is a Likert-type scale ranging from 0-4, with "0" indicating very adherent. This finding indicated that the participants took their medications moderately well despite self-reports of significant numbers of HIV disease and treatment-related body fat changes. Time since initial diagnosis was 8.86 +/- 5.55 years and was not related to adherence. Nor did the type of lipodystrophic symptoms affect adherence. Quality of life however, was significantly related to adherence suggesting an approach that might be taken to improve adherence.

Adult↗

PubMed2002

Complementary therapy use in persons with HIV/AIDS.

The purpose of this study was to describe the frequency and correlates of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) therapies used by people with HIV/AIDS to manage illness and treatment-related symptoms. Data were collected from a convenience sample (N = 422) of people living with HIV disease. Demographic variables (e.g., education, age, and gender) were compared for those who reported using at least one CAM therapy. There were significant differences for gender (chi2 = 4.003, df = 1, p = .045) and for ethnicity (chi2 = 6.042, df = 2, p = .049). Females and African Americans used CAM more frequently. More than one third of the participants used CAM, and there were a total of 246 critical incidents of nontraditional treatment use. It is possible that these nonallopathic interventions may positively affect health-related quality of life in persons with HIV by ameliorating or reducing the side effects associated with the disease and its treatments.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMed2002

Self-care for fatigue in patients With HIV.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify when fatigue is reported as a problem by people who are HIV positive, what the perception of fatigue is, and which self-care behaviors are used and with what efficacy. DESIGN: Multisite descriptive study. SETTING: University-based AIDS clinics, community-based organizations, and homecare agencies located in cities across the United States, in Norway, and through a university Web site. SAMPLE: Convenience sample of 422 self-identified people who are HIV positive. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Symptom description, symptom relief, symptom help, and self-care strategies. FINDINGS: The sixth most reported symptom in this study, fatigue, was treated with a variety of self-designed strategies. In only three instances was consultation with a healthcare provider (i.e., physician) or an injection (medication not defined) mentioned. The most frequently used interventions were supplements, vitamins, and nutrition followed by sleep and rest; exercise; adjusting activities, approaches, and thoughts; distraction; and complementary and alternative therapies. In addition to self-designed strategies, the media and friends and family were sources of information. CONCLUSIONS: Fatigue was reported less frequently in this study than in other HIV-, AIDS-, or cancer-related studies. This may be an artifact of the study design. The use of informal networks for assistance, let alone the prevalence of unrelieved fatigue, indicates the need for more attention to this problem among people with AIDS. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Careful assessment of the pattern of fatigue and its onset, duration, intervention, and resolution is required if the varied types of fatigue are to be identified and treated successfully.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Self-care management of anxiety and fear in HIV disease.

The purpose of this study is to describe the frequency and correlates of self-reported anxiety and fear and the self-care behaviors used to manage these symptoms. Data were collected in a convenience sample (N = 422) of HIV-positive subjects. Demographic and disease-related variables were compared for those who did and did not report anxiety and fear. Anxiety and fear were the most frequently reported symptoms (17.3%, n = 73). There were significant differences on gender, level of education, and the use of antiretroviral medications. Self-care behaviors (n = 212) for anxiety and fear were grouped into seven categories: using activities for distraction = 25%, talking to others = 21%, using alternative/complementary therapies = 18%, taking prescribed medications = 10%, using self-talk = 9%, using substances = 9%, and using avoidance behaviors = 7%. Anxiety and fear are commonly experienced by people with HIV/AIDS. Self-care strategies are imperative in the management of these clinical manifestations.

Adult↗