Associations of Symptoms and Health-Related Quality of Life: Findings from a National Study of Persons with HIV Infection

Background: Health-related quality of life refers to how well people are able to perform daily activities (functioning) and how they feel about their lives (well-being). The relationship between symptoms and health-related quality of life has not been fully explored. Objective: To estimate the association of HIV symptoms with health-related quality of life and with disability days. Design: Prospective cohort study. Setting: HIV providers in 28 urban and 24 rural randomly selected sites throughout the United States. Patients: Nationally representative sample of 2267 adults with known HIV infection who were interviewed in 1996 and again between 1997 and 1998. Measurements: Symptoms, two single-item global measures of health-related quality of life (perceived health and perceived qual