Diabetes Changes Symptoms Cluster Patterns in Persons Living With HIV.

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Diabetes Changes Symptoms Cluster Patterns in Persons Living With HIV.

J Assoc Nurses AIDS Care. 2017 Nov - Dec;28(6):888-896

Authors: Zuniga JA, Bose E, Park J, Lapiz-Bluhm MD, García AA

Abstract
Approximately 10-15% of persons living with HIV (PLWH) have a comorbid diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM). Both of these long-term chronic conditions are associated with high rates of symptom burden. The purpose of our study was to describe symptom patterns for PLWH with DM (PLWH+DM) using a large secondary dataset. The prevalence, burden, and bothersomeness of symptoms reported by patients in routine clinic visits during 2015 were assessed using the 20-item HIV Symptom Index. Principal component analysis was used to identify symptom clusters. Three main clusters were identified: (a) neurological/psychological, (b) gastrointestinal/flu-like, and (c) physical changes. The most prevalent symptoms were fatigue, poor sleep, aches, neuropathy, and sadness. When compared to a previous symptom study with PLWH, symptoms clustered differently in our sample of patients with dual diagnoses of HIV and diabetes. Clinicians should appropriately assess symptoms for their patients' comorbid conditions.

PMID: 28765048 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

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