Fumaz, C, Larranaga-Eguilegor, M, Mayordomo-Lopez, S, Gomez-Martinez, S, Gonzalez-Garcia, M, Ornellas, A, de Apodaca, M, Remor, E, Ballester-Arnal, R, Lopez-Zuniga, A, Santos-Miguel, I, Albiol-Soto, M, Ferrer-Lasala, M, Tuldra-Nino, A, Ferrando-Vilalta, R, Santamaria-Jauregui, J, Iribarren-Loyarte, J, de Apodaca, R, Pasquau-Liano, F, Tornero-Esteban, C, Roca, B, Canoves-Martinez, L, Lorenzo-Gonzalez, J, Ubillos-Landa, S, Ruzafa-Martinez, M, Aguirrezabal-Prado, A, Arnoso-Martinez, A, Molero, F, Nouvilas-Palleja, E, Perez-Garin, D, Sanjuan-Suarez, P, Gilllario, M, Madrigal-Vilchez, A, Castro-Calvo, J, Gil-Julia, B, Gimenez-Garcia, C, Ruiz-Palomino, E, and Spanish Grp Quality Life Improve
Studies exploring gender differences in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are scarce and contradictory. This study evaluated gender differences in HRQOL of 744 PLWHA with median (IQR) age 44 (37-48) years and HIV infection diagnosed 12 (5-20) years earlier. Results showed important differences between genders (p < .05). Better male physical health was related to being employed, not having economic worries, not receiving psychological support, not having injected drugs in past, low negative mood HIV-related, low HIV illness representation and internalized stigma, and high body image satisfaction and health behavior. For women, variables were fewer years since HIV diagnosis and low enacted stigma-personal experience of rejection. Mentally, variables in men were being employed, not having injected drugs, having a stable partner, high health behavior, use of problem-solving coping, personal autonomy and personal meaning. In women, better mental health was related to high CD4 cells, self-esteem and body image satisfaction, and negative mood HIV-related. Men and women coincided in absence of past opportunistic infections being related to better physical and mental health, and absence of side effects for physical health and low HIV-related stress and HIV illness representation for mental health. Our results highlight the need for detailed study of gender differences that identify the bio-psycho-socio inequalities that affect HRQOL.