Beyond viral suppression

Determinants of health-related quality of life in a national HIV cohort in Turkiye

Bibliographic Data

ID23310105
AuthorsZehra Karacaer (0000-0002-2658-4679, University of Health Sciences Antigua, corresponding author), Merve Bozdag (0000-0001-9956-3409, Uni Research (Norway)), Erdogan Asar (0000-0002-6987-7068, Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi), Aliye Bastug (0000-0002-8831-4877, University of Health Science), Barcin Ozturk (0000-0003-3756-8276, Adnan Menderes University), Damla Ertürk (0000-0002-2163-5844, Cukurova University), Veysel Akça (0000-0001-8619-4851, State Hospital), Turhan Togan (0000-0002-5490-8888, Muğla University), İlknur Esen Yıldız (0000-0003-2987-0483, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University), Tuba Damar Cakirca (0000-0002-1706-230X, Harran University), Bircan Kayaaslan (0000-0001-5225-8319, Bilkent University), Mustafa Usanmaz (0000-0002-5369-2560, Samsun University), Özgür Günal (0000-0002-7744-4123, Samsun University), Gulden Eser Karlıdag (0000-0002-0754-1702, Elazığ Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi), Derya Seyman (0000-0002-7451-8537, University of Health Sciences), Ezgi Gulten (0000-0003-0248-7716, Ankara University), Dilek Bulut (0000-0001-5874-174X, University of Health Science), Hande Hazir Konya (0000-0001-8389-9565, Adnan Menderes University), Elif Dilan Dag (0009-0004-0964-6163, University of Health Science), Mustafa Erdi Isikci (0009-0007-2210-4416, Mustafa Kemal University), Mehmet Çabalak (0000-0003-1148-2247, Mustafa Kemal University), Sevgi Yildirim Sokulmez (0000-0002-8612-0884, Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi), Gulsen Iskender (0000-0001-7619-1366, Ankara Onkoloji Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi), Güle Çınar (0000-0002-7635-8848, Ankara University), Deniz Ozer (0000-0001-6180-254X, Manisa Celal Bayar University), Nesibe Korkmaz (0000-0002-2532-5157, University of Health Science), Fatma Eser (0000-0002-0282-6346, Bilkent University), Nazan Tuna (0000-0001-9228-6832, Namık Kemal University), Nuran Sari (0000-0002-3165-4520, Başkent University), Gunay Tuncer Ertem (0000-0001-8760-0030, Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi), Esra Erdem Kivrak (0000-0003-3192-724X, Manisa Celal Bayar University), Burak Sarikaya (0000-0002-0026-1927, University of Health Science), Figen Sarıgül Yıldırım (0000-0001-8646-2203, Antalya Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi), Aysun Yalci (0000-0002-4074-0797, University of Health Sciences Antigua), Secil Deniz (0000-0002-5440-5383, Pamukkale University), Aybegum Ozsahin (0000-0003-4500-8594, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University), Nevin Ince (0000-0002-0129-4536, Düzce Üniversitesi), Gizem Karahan (0000-0002-7673-7928, Gaziosmanpaşa Taksim Eğitim ve Araştırma Hastanesi), Mine Filiz (0000-0002-6928-2435, Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi), Selen Sahin (0009-0004-2787-4645, Bilkent University), Ertugrul Yazici (0000-0002-5953-4184, Gülhane Askerî Tıp Akademisi), Gulden Yilmaz Tehli (0000-0002-2186-492X, University of Health Sciences Antigua), Yeşim Taşova (0000-0002-5728-058X, Cukurova University), Mehmet Serhat Birengel (0000-0002-5599-6488, Ankara University), Nefise Oztoprak (0000-0001-6382-2229, University of Health Sciences)
Year2026
Pages1-12
Publication date2026-07-23
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2026.2697987
PMID42492089
OpenAlexW7170182729
LanguageEN
References cited21

This multicentre study evaluated Health-related Quality of Life (HRQoL) and identified sociodemographic and clinical determinants of physical and mental health outcomes in a large national HIV cohort in Turkiye. This cross-sectional study included 1303 adults across 23 centres. HRQoL was assessed using the Turkish MOS-HIV Health Survey, yielding Physical Health Summary (PHSS) and Mental Health Summary (MHSS) scores. HRQoL scores were dichotomised into “higher” (>50) and “lower” (≤50) groups. Data were analysed via univariate tests and multivariable logistic regression. Participants (88.6% male; median age: 38) were primarily single, employed, and university graduates. The median CD4+ T-cell count and HIV RNA level were 627 cells/mm3 and <50 copy/mL, respectively. Median PHSS and MHSS were 57.25 and 50.57, respectively. While social/role functioning scored highest, health transition scored lowest. Lower PHSS was identified in 22.7% of participants, whereas 47.9% reported lower MHSS. Low education and high daily pill burden significantly increased the risk of lower HRQoL. Interestingly, lower income was independently associated with better HRQoL, while older age and psychiatric treatment correlated with better MHSS. Despite robust physical HRQoL, mental health remains a significant challenge. To achieve “Fourth 90” targets, interventions should prioritise health literacy and integrated mental health services within HIV care. Abbreviations: ART: antiretroviral therapy; CF: cognitive functioning; CI: confidence interval; EF: energy/fatigue; GH: general health perception; HAART: highly active antiretroviral therapy; HD: health distress; HIV: human immunodeficiency virus; HL: Hosmer–Lemeshow; HRQoL: health-related quality of life; HT: health transition; MHS: mental health summary; MHSS: mental health summary score; MOS-HIV: medical outcomes study HIV health survey; OR: odds ratio; P: pain; PF: physical functioning; PHS: physical health summary; PHSS: physical health summary score; PLWH: people living with HIV; QL: quality of life; RF: role function; RNA: ribonucleic acid; SF: social function; UNAIDS: joint United Nations programme on HIV/AIDS

Cohort · Cohort study · Disease · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) · Population · Quality of life (healthcare) · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Impact and Responses · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions

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