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A study by researchers at
Massachusetts General Hospital indicated that women with HIV have more severe
hot flashes than women without HIV, and the hot flashes have a larger
disruption on their quality of life (QOL) and daily functioning.
The researchers administered
questionnaires to 33 HIV-infected perimenopausal women ages 45–48 and to a
matching group of women who did not have HIV infection. The questionnaires
included information about hot flash frequency and severity, other menopausal
symptoms, and the effect of these symptoms on daily activities and QOL.
Researchers then compared the responses from both groups.
Women with HIV experienced moderate
hot flashes compared to mild flashes in the uninfected women as well as more
sleep disturbances, depressed moods, irritability, and anxiety. The hot flashes
were severe enough to cause problems with work, social and leisure activities, concentration,
relationships with others, sexuality, enjoyment of life and overall QOL for
women with HIV. The researchers noted that the QOL was worse than reported for
breast cancer survivors.
The researchers were uncertain as to
why hot flashes were worse in HIV-infected women and acknowledged that more
research is needed. They also suggested that clinicians who treated middle-aged
women should evaluate hot flashes and their impact and provide treatment to
help, out of concern that the severity of the symptoms might create more
instability in the women’s already difficult lives and compromise their health
and treatment program.
The full report, “Increased Hot
Flash Severity and Related Interference in Perimenopausal Human
Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Women,” was published online ahead of print in
the journal Menopause (2013; doi: 10.1097/GME.0b013e31829d4c4c).
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus.
To learn more about The Friends of
AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
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