An HIV-positive patient may have chronic diarrhea. This may interfere with the patient’s quality of life (QOL). A patient’s QOL should be monitored if certain factors are present.
Risk factors for an impaired quality of life in an HIV-positive patient with diarrhea may include:
(1) interference with ability to work
(2) interference with social activities
(3) interference with activities of daily living (ADL)
(4) embarrassment or shame
(5) anxiety and/or depression
(6) frustration
(7) anorexia or intentional decrease in food intake
(8) malnutrition and wasting
(9) cramping, pain or other symptoms
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