Measuring health-related quality of life among patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus.

Optimizing health-related quality of life (HRQL) has become an important treatment focus for patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Consideration of HRQL is especially relevant with the development of new antiretroviral agents that have significant side effects. The measurement of HRQL is still in evolution, and several methods have been used to quantify HRQL in the HIV-infected population. A review of existing studies shows that HRQL scores do not always correlate with disease stage or health indices and that symptoms have a significant impact on HRQL. Studies have also revealed that certain therapies for HIV and opportunistic infections exact a significant cost in terms of HRQL. HRQL outcomes will play a major role in treatment decisions for HIV-infected patients and in the development and marketing of new pharmaceutical agents in the near future.