OBJECTIVES : We evaluated the Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and factors associated with this outcome in people initiating Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART).

METHODS : We conducted an interview-based survey of 426 patients from three referral centers in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. We measured HRQoL using the WHOQOL-HIV BREF and the EQ-5D-3L instruments and factors associated with HRQoL were assessed by multilevel linear regression according to the instrument used.

RESULTS : The majority (92.6%) of eligible patients participated in the survey. Respondents were 82.6% male with a mean age of 34.5 (SD 10.9) years. The majority used HAART regimens combining tenofovir, lamivudine, and efavirenz in single tablet regimen (n=280; 95.9%). A large proportion of patients reported having problems in the pain/discomfort (43%) and anxiety/depression (57.5%) dimensions of EQ-5D, while less than 25% reported having problems on the other dimensions. This was translated on median values of HRQoL of 0.88 [IQR 0.82;1.00] for utility and 80.0 [61.0; 90.0] for the EQ-VAS. The Overall HRQoL measured by WHOQOL HIV BREF was 16.0 [IQR 14.0;18.0] and the lowest mean was observed to the Environmental and the Psychologic domains. Factors independently associated with lower HRQoL in at least two models were the use of HAART on multiple tablet regimens administered more than once daily, self-perception of HAART treatment as difficult, the occurrence of adverse drug reactions, the presence of signs and symptoms of anxiety and depression and of other co-morbidities. Additionally, sociodemographic, behavioral and other clinical factors influenced HRQoL depending on the instrument used.

CONCLUSIONS : We observed high levels of HRQoL in HAART treated people according to both instruments used in the study. Stakeholders should enhance strategies of HAART simplification, screening for anxiety/depression symptoms and co-morbidities, psychological support and counseling about pharmacotherapy to increase HRQoL of people living with HIV/AIDS.