Measuring quality of life in rural Uganda: reliability and validity of summary scores from the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV)

Purpose

Summary scores derived from the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) are used to assess treatment impacts among HIV-infected patients in Western settings, but have yet to be validated in rural, African settings. We examined the reliability, validity and responsiveness of scores among a prospective cohort of 947 HIV-1-infected adults initiating antiretroviral therapy between May 2003 and May 2004 in rural Uganda.

Methods

Physical (PHS) and mental health (MHS) summary scores were developed from baseline MOS-HIV sub-domains using exploratory factor analysis. Construct and discriminant validity were established by comparing mean summary scores across known groups of sociodemographic, clinical and health status characteristics. Effect sizes were calculated to assess responsiveness to therapy.

Results

Reliability of the PHS and MHS scores was 0.79 and 0.85, respectively. Mean baseline PHS and MHS scores varied significantly by CD4 cell count, HIV viral load, WHO stage of disease and Karnofsky performance status scores. By 12?months on antiretroviral therapy, PHS and MHS scores improved by 14.6 points (P?P?Conclusions PHS and MHS scores can be derived from the MOS-HIV and used to assess health status among cohorts of patients taking antiretroviral therapy in rural Uganda.     

US and UK versions of the EQ-5D preference weights: Does choice of preference weights make a difference?

Background Most US studies that estimate EQ-5D index score generally apply the UK preference weights. We compared the validity of a newly-developed US weights to the UK weights for use of EQ-5D as a measure of health-related quality of life. Methods Data were collected from a randomized clinical trial for patients with HIV (n = 1,126) in the US. Convergent validity was examined by comparing Pearson correlations of EQ-5D index scores with the MOS-HIV Health Survey scale scores and Physical and Mental Health Summary (PHS, MHS) scores using the US and UK weights. Known-groups validity of EQ-5D US versus UK index scores was compared using clinical variables (CD4+ cell count and HIV viral load), and the MOS-HIV PHS and MHS. Score changes in the EQ-5D index from baseline to week 50 were examined using effect size (ES) estimates. Results The mean EQ-5D index scores was slightly higher using US weights than UK weights (0.87 vs. 0.84, respectively). The correlation coefficient for EQ-5D utilities using the US and UK weights was 0.98. The correlations of EQ-5D index scores with the MOS-HIV scores were moderate and similar using the US and UK weights. The EQ-5D index scores discriminated equally well for both versions between levels of CD4+ count, HIV viral load, and PHS and MHS scores (P < 0.05), suggesting equivalent known-groups validity. The changes in EQ-5D index scores from baseline to week 50 were similar for both versions (ES: 0.21 vs. 0.22 for US and UK, respectively), suggesting equivalent responsiveness to score changes. Conclusions EQ-5D index scores generated using UK and US preference weights showed equivalent psychometric properties. For assessing treatment benefit in a single population, the use of either the UK or US weights as a measure of HRQOL will not change inferences. However, for comparisons across US and UK populations, the choice between these two weights should be based on their relevance to the study population.     

Handling missing quality of life data in HIV clinical trials: what is practical?

Aims Missing health-related quality of life (HRQOL) data in clinical trials can impact conclusions but the effect has not been thoroughly studied in HIV clinical trials. Despite repeated recommendations to avoid complete case (CC) analysis and last observation carried forward (LOCF), these approaches are commonly used to handle missing data. The goal of this investigation is to describe the use of different analytic methods under assumptions of missing completely at random (MCAR), missing at random (MAR), and missing not at random (MNAR) using HIV as an empirical example. Methods Medical Outcomes Study HIV (MOS-HIV) Health Survey data were combined from two large open-label multinational HIV clinical trials comparing treatments A and B over 48 weeks. Inclusion in the HRQOL analysis required completion of the MOS-HIV at baseline and at least one follow-up visit (weeks 8, 16, 24, 40, 48). Primary outcomes for the analysis were change from week 0 to 48 in mental health summary (MHS), physical health summary (PHS), pain and health distress scores analyzed using CC, LOCF, generalized estimating equations (GEE), direct likelihood and sensitivity analyses using joint mixed-effects model, and Markov chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) multiple imputation. Time and treatment were included in all models. Baseline and longitudinal variables (adverse event and reason for discontinuation) were only used in the imputation model. Results A total of 511 patients randomized to treatment A and 473 to treatment B completed the MOS-HIV at baseline and at least one follow-up visit. At week 48, 71% of patients on treatment A and 31% on treatment B completed the MOS-HIV survey. Examining changes within each treatment group, CC and MCMC generally produced the largest or most positive changes. The joint model was most conservative; direct likelihood and GEE produced intermediate results; LOCF showed no consistent trend. There was greater spread for within-group changes than between-group differences (within MHS scores for treatment A: −0.1 to 1.6, treatment B: 0.4 to 2.0; between groups: −0.7 to 0.4; within PHS scores for treatment A: −1.5 to 0.4, treatment B: −1.7 to −0.2; between groups: 0.1 to 1.1). The size of within-group changes and between-group differences was of similar magnitude for the pain and health distress scores. In all cases, the range of estimates was small <0.2 SD (less than 2 points for the summary scores and 5 points for the subscale scores). Conclusions Use of the recommended likelihood-based models that do not require assumptions of MCAR was very feasible. Sensitivity analyses using auxiliary information can help to investigate the potential effect that missing data have on results but require planning to ensure that relevant data are prospectively collected.     

Changes in surrogate laboratory markers, clinical endpoints, and health-related quality of life in patients infected with the human immunodeficiency virus

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the relationship between laboratory markers of HIV, AIDS-defining events, study discontinuation, and summary scores from the MOS-HIV Health Survey. METHODS: Secondary analysis of data from a clinical trial of antiretroviral therapies in advanced HIV-infected patients (N = 940). Clinical and health-related quality-of-life data were collected over 48 weeks. Linear regression, logistic regression and survival analyses were performed to evaluate the relationships between MOS-HIV summary scores, clinical events, and laboratory markers. RESULTS: Each point increase in PHS resulted in a 3.0% decrease in the likelihood of developing an AIDS-defining event (p < .05) and a 2.7% decrease in likelihood of study discontinuation (p < .05). MHS did not significantly predict clinical events, but did predict study discontinuation (p < .05). From the linear regression analyses, the change in CD4 counts was a significant predictor of the change in MHS (p < .01). CONCLUSION: The MOS-HIV summary scores predict clinical events and study discontinuation in advanced HIV-infected patients.     

Impacts of HIV infection and HAART use on quality of life

Background: Studies have shown the detrimental effect of HIV disease on quality of life (QOL). Changes in QOL related to the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have been inconsistent and it is unknown how QOL after HAART compares to pre-infection levels. Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the impacts of becoming HIV infected and using HAART on QOL within individuals followed in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS). Methods: Using the standard Medical Outcome Study SF-36 form, QOL data were collected pre-seroconversion, post-seroconversion but before HAART initiation, and after HAART initiation for 68 seroconverters. The QOL physical health summary score (PHS) and mental health summary score (MHS) were used as outcomes. The effects of HIV infection and HAART use on QOL summary scores were determined using random effects mixed linear models after controlling for possible confounders. The clinical significance of QOL change was assessed using the Cohen’s effect size method. Results: Compared to pre-seroconversion values, the PHS decreased after seroconversion (mean difference (diff) = −1.62; 95% confidence interval (CI): [−3.20, −0.03]) and after HAART initiation (diff = −4.20; 95% CI: [−5.86, −2.54]) with small to medium effect sizes. The score remained significantly lower than prior to HIV infection (diff = −6.16; 95% CI: [−8.09, −4.23]) after being on HAART for more than 4 years. The MHS did not significantly differ upon seroconversion (diff = −1.16; 95% CI: [−3.32, 1.00]). After using HAART for more than 4 years, the MHS was significantly greater than prior to HIV infection (diff = 2.93; 95% CI: [0.31, 5.55]) with a small effect size. Conclusion: The QOL of participants has been dynamic over the HIV disease course. HIV infection deteriorated physical but not mental QOL. In this group, although the PHS following HAART has remained lower than that prior to infection, HAART has enhanced mental health functioning.     

The associations among coping, nadir CD4+ T-cell count, and non-HIV-related variables with health-related quality of life among an ambulatory HIV-positive patient population

Purpose

We investigated HRQoL among HIV-positive outpatients from October, 2006-December, 2007, incorporating medical chart review, and a survey of coping styles.

Methods

Consented HIV-positive patients receiving medical care at University of Colorado Denver, with HAART as first antiretroviral regimen, completed the MOS-HIV and Brief COPE survey instruments. Linear regression identified a priori factors hypothesized to be associated with the MOS-HIV composite mental and physical health scores (MHS, PHS). Brief COPE survey maladaptive and adaptive coping components were added to the models and retained if significant.

Results

Among the 157 patient cohort, parsimonious multivariable linear regression models (P?Conclusions Factors independently associated with lower MHS and lower PHS include lower nadir CD4+ T-cell counts, and use of maladaptive coping. Efforts to reduce use of maladaptive coping strategies and earlier identification and treatment of HIV may improve HRQoL in HIV-positive patients.     

Health-related quality of life predicts survival, cytomegalovirus disease, and study retention in clinical trial participants with advanced HIV disease

We tested whether health related quality of life (HRQOL) predicts mortality, development of active cytomegalovirus (CMV) disease, and study retention. We studied 957 patients with CD4 counts <100 cells/mm(3) in AIDS Clinical Trials Group Protocol 204, a randomized, double-blind trial comparing three prophylactic regimens against CMV end-organ disease. The MOS-HIV, a brief HRQOL questionnaire, generated physical health summary (PHS) and mental health summary (MHS) scores. We used Cox proportional hazards to predict events by baseline HRQOL, adjusted for treatment, demographics, and CD4. Each point increase in baseline PHS decreased the risk of death by 4%, CMV by 2%, and dropout by 2%. Each point increase in baseline MHS decreased the risk of death by 4% and study dropout by 1%. In conclusion, self-rated physical and mental health demonstrated predictive validity for survival, CMV end-organ disease, and retention in advanced HIV patients. The results show the clinical importance of HRQOL and may facilitate interpretation by clinicians.     

Economic methods for measuring the quality of life associated with HIV infection

Background: Quality of life is measured as utilities for cost-effectiveness analyses. Objective: To test the adequacy of three common utility elicitation methods for individuals with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disease. Measurements: HIV-positive participants (n=75) rated three standardized health states (symptomatic HIV infection, minor AIDS defining illness, and major AIDS defining illness) with two utility elicitation methods (Standard Gamble [SG], and Time Trade-off [TTO]) and one value method (Visual Analog [VA]). Participants also rated their own health with one utility method (Health Utilities Index [HUI]) and one conventional quality of life method (Medical Outcomes Study–HIV Health Survey [MOS-HIV]). Results: For all states, SG and TTO scores ranged from near 0.00 (equivalent to death) to 1.00 (best possible quality of life). Mean scores for symptomatic HIV were similar with the SG (0.80) and TTO (0.81) but higher than with the VA (0.70). Similar results were observed for minor AIDS defining illnesses (0.65, 0.65, 0.46 respectively) and major AIDS defining illnesses (0.42, 0.44, 0.25 respectively). Discrepant SG and TTO scores were observed in many individuals and were not explained by demographic characteristics. As expected, HUI scores of an individual's own health were related to the disease state. Four of ten MOS-HIV subscales (overall health, physical functioning, role functioning, and pain) were also related to disease state. HUI scores were correlated with the MOS-HIV score for overall health and for all MOS-HIV subscales except health transition. Conclusions: Mean utility scores for HIV-related health states elicited by the Standard Gamble and Time Trade-off were similar but a large degree of individual variation persists. Economic methods provide imprecise estimates of the quality of life associated with HIV infection.     

The use of two measures of health-related quality of life in HIV-infected individuals: a cross-sectional comparison

Two measures of health-related quality of life in 65 HIV-infected individuals were compared in a cross-sectional design. The Quality of Well-Being Scale (QWB) results in a single score ranging from death to perfect health. The MOS-HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV, 34-item version) gives scores in 11 dimensions. The QWB score distinguished subjects with AIDS from those who were asymptomatic (p=0.027). For the seven multi-item scales of the MOS-HIV, Cronbach's alpha ranged from 0.85–0.95, indicating good internal consistency reliability. Clinical HIV-infection status was significantly associated with the dimensions of Overall Health (p=0.002), Role Function (p=0.022), Social Function (p=0.037), Energy/Fatigue (p=0.027) and Health Distress (p=0.025). All eleven dimensions of the MOS-HIV were significantly correlated with the QWB score (Spearman's coefficient = 0.405–0.670; for all, p<0.01) and the QWB score could be predicted from the MOS-HIV dimension scores using multiple regression. The QWB and the MOS-HIV may be useful in assessing health-related quality of life in patients infected with HIV.Funding support for this study provided by the Center for Pharmaceutical Economics of the University of Arizona.     

山西省农村地区艾滋病病毒感染者生活质量研究

目的了解山西省农村地区HIV感染者生活质量。方法采用横断面研究方法,应用MOS-HIV量表调查HIV感染者的生活质量。结果195例HIV感染者的平均年龄为（45．6±8．2）岁,其中男性119例（61．0％）,女性76例（39．0％）;大多已婚（77．9％）;83．0％的患者系通过既往采供血途径感染HIV;在心理健康总评分,总体健康感受、精力／疲劳、生活质量、心理功能和健康转变5个维度,男性评分高于女性;在生理健康总评分,躯体功能和疼痛2个维度,低年龄组评分高;在总体健康感受、生活质量、心理功能、躯体功能和角色功能5个维度,收入高组评分高。结论重点关注女性、老年、收入较低HIV感染者生活质量,将有助于提高该人群的生活质量。     

安徽省皖北地区艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人生存质量评价

目的 了解安徽省皖北地区艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人的生存质量现状及其影响因素,为进一步改善其生存质量提供相关依据。方法 采用方便样本法选取皖北10个县（市、区）艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人,使用艾滋病病毒感染者医疗结局健康调查表简体中文版进行面对面匿名调查,均数比较采用t检验和方差分析,多因素分析采用多元线性回归方程评价其生存质量。结果 艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人的生理健康总分为（48.29±8.73）分,心理健康总分为（46.67±8.45）分。他（她）们的总体健康、躯体健康、社会功能、肌体疼痛、心理健康、活力6个维度得分均低于正常人群（均有P<0.05）。不同文化程度、职业、居住地、年收入分别与生理健康总分、心理健康总分及不同维度差异均有统计学意义（均有P<0.05）,文化程度和收入与他（她）们的生理健康总分、心理健康总分及躯体健康、认知功能、肌体疼痛、心理健康、活力均呈正相关,而打短工与他（她）们的角色功能、肌体疼痛均呈负相关。结论 艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人的生存质量低于常人,其受文化程度、职业、居住地、年收入等多因素影响,今后可通过提高他（她）们的文化程度和收入以改善其生存质量。     

Health-related quality of life of patients with HIV: Impact of sociodemographic, clinical and psychosocial factors

Objectives: This study aims to analyse how a wide group of clinical, social, demographic and psychological factors are related to both physical and mental quality of life in HIV+ patients. Design: A cross-sectional study was carried out of 320 HIV+ patients in antiretroviral treatment who attended infectious diseases units in four hospitals in the region of Andalusia (Spain). Methods: Health-Related Quality of Life was measured by the MOS-HIV. Included as independent variables were: sociodemographic variables, variables related to antiretroviral therapy, psychosocial variables like social support (Duke-UNC-11) and psychological morbidity (GHQ-28), variables related to main risk behaviours and clinical variables. Results: In the multiple linear regression analysis, a better PHS quality of life was found to be associated with the absence of mental illness, social support, not being an intravenous drug user and using more than one type of non-injectable drug. A better quality of life, in mental terms, was found to be associated with fewer years as a non-intravenous drug user, having social support, absence of mental illness, not being an intravenous drug user taking only one additional pill, not having any difficulty in taking the medication, and being female. Conclusions: The study of other non-biological factors that may be related to quality of life has been limited practically to social support and the emotional state. This study highlights the importance of these factors independently from the clinical state, as well as the existence of other psychological and behavioural factors that are also related.     

Evidence for reliability, validity and usefulness of the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV)

The Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) is a brief, comprehensive measure of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) used extensively in human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS). The 35-item questionnaire includes ten dimensions (health perceptions, pain, physical, role, social and cognitive functioning, mental health, energy, health distress and quality of life (QoL)) and takes approximately 5 minutes to complete. Subscales are scored on a 0–100 scale (a higher score indicates better health) and physical and mental health summary scores can be generated. The MOS-HIV has been shown to be internally consistent, correlate with concurrent measures of health, discriminate between distinct groups, predict future outcomes and be responsive to changes over time. Limited experience suggests acceptable reliability and validity in women, injecting drug users and African–American and lower socioeconomic status patients. The MOS-HIV is available in 14 languages and has been included as a secondary outcome measure in numerous clinical trials for all stages of disease. In several studies it has detected significant differences between treatments; in some cases concordant with conventional end-points and, in others, discordant. The interpretation of scores is facilitated by an explanation in terms meaningful to the intended audience. Research is needed to compare the MOS-HIV to other strategies for HRQoL assessment in early HIV disease.     

Network stigma towards people living with HIV/AIDS and their caregivers: An egocentric network study

HIV stigma occurs among peers in social networks. However, the features of social networks that drive HIV stigma are not well understood. The objective of this study is to investigate anticipated HIV stigma within the social networks of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) (N = 147) and the social networks of PLWHA's caregivers (N = 148). The egocentric social network data were collected in Guangxi, China. More than half of PLWHA (58%) and their caregivers (53%) anticipated HIV stigma from their network peers. Both PLWHA and their caregivers anticipated that spouses or other family members were less likely to stigmatise them, compared to friend peers or other relationships. Married network peers were believed to stigmatise caregivers more than unmarried peers. The association between frequent contacts and anticipated stigma was negative among caregivers. Being in a close relationship with PLWHA or caregivers (e.g., a spouse or other family member) was associated with less anticipated stigma. Lower network density was associated with higher anticipated stigma among PLWHA's alters, but not among caregivers' alters. Findings may shed light on innovative stigma reduction interventions at the social network level and therefore improve HIV/AIDS treatment utilisation.     

Validity and reliability of the Italian translation of the MOS-HIV health survey in persons with AIDS

Objectives: To evaluate the validity and reliability of the Italian version of the 35-item Medical Outcome Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) when applied to persons with AIDS. Methods: The study population consisted of 185 adults with AIDS residing in Rome and participating in a randomised controlled trial on home-care. Diagnosis was made between 1 October 1994 and 1 April 1996, and enrollment took place within 2 months of diagnosis. The MOS-HIV, which measures 10 dimensions of health-related quality of life (QoL), was administered at baseline and every 3 months thereafter during the 1-year follow-up. Tests of convergent and concurrent construct validity were conducted for all scales. Results: Of the 185 trial participants, 146 responded to the questionnaire; 82 responded at least twice (including baseline collection) during follow-up. For the role functioning, general health, and vitality scales, the distribution of scale scores was concentrated at the lower half of the range. Internal consistency reliability was adequate (>0.80) for all scales. Baseline scores tended to increase with decreasing AIDS severity and with increasing age. There were improvements over time in the role functioning, vitality, and health distress scales. Conclusions: The MOS-HIV had good reliability among persons with AIDS. There was a moderate floor effect for some of the subscales. Tests of convergent and construct validity were generally confirmed. Additional studies are needed to evaluate the responsiveness to changes over time.     

安徽省艾滋病病毒感染者和病人卫生服务利用及其对生存质量的影响

目的 了解艾滋病病毒感染者和病人(PLWHAS)的卫生服务利用(HSU)现状及其对生存质量(QOL)的影响,为合理分配卫生服务资源,提高其QOL提供依据。方法 采用整群分层抽样方法抽取10个县(市、区)的PLWHAS,使用简明健康调查量表(MOS-HIV)对选定人群的HSU和QOL状况进行问卷调查,通过描述性统计和多重线性回归分析评价PLWHAS的HSU及其对QOL的影响。结果 PLWHAS的CD4免费检测的利用率最高(96.39%),其次为医疗保险(95.36%),而生活保障的利用率最低(71.14%)。PLWHAS的生理健康总分(PHS)为48.29±8.73分,心理健康总分(MHS)为46.67±8.45分,GH、PF、RF、SF、PN、MH、VT、HD共8个维度的得分均低于一般人群(P<0.000 1)。接受免费病毒载量(VL)检测、获得持续固定补贴的PHS差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);享受低保、医保、关爱活动、CD4检测的MHS差异有统计学意义(P<0.05);除GH外,HSU对各维度均产生不同程度的影响(P<0.05)。享有低保和医保的QOL优于无医保的,有低保、新农合、持续固定补贴和每年2次的CD4检测对PHS、MHS及PF、RF、CF、MH、VT、HD、QL的影响均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论 安徽省PLWHAS的QOL低于一般人群,HSU较好,医保、低保、固定补贴均能提高其QOL,建议扩大PLWHAS机会性感染、药物副作用报销比例,将新农合、医疗保险、医疗救助有机结合,并逐步开展心理支持、中医调理性治疗以提高其QOL。     

Quality of Life and Body Image in the Assessment of Psychological Impact of Lipodystrophy: Validation of the Italian Version of Assessment of Body Change and Distress Questionnaire

Lipodystrophy (LD) includes morphologic changes that are distressing to patients with HIV. We tested the validity of an Italian version of the Assessment of Body Change and Distress (ABCD) questionnaire and analysed its relationship to physical and mental aspects of Health-Related Quality of Life. Two hundred and fifty-two patients completed the questionnaires. Construct validity of the ABCD was tested against the MOS-HIV Health Survey, body mass-index (BMI) and CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts. Cronbach’s α for the ABCD total score was 0.94. The ABCD showed the hypothesized moderate correlations to MOS-HIV scales and clinical variables. Preliminary evidence supports the reliability and validity of the Italian version of the ABCD in people with HIV and LD. This questionnaire may be useful to identify people experiencing greater impact of LD, or to evaluate the impact of interventions to treat LD such as plastic surgery.     

The concurrent validity and responsiveness of the health utilities index (HUI 3) among patients with advanced HIV/AIDS

Objectives  To assess the concurrent validity and responsiveness of the Health Utility Index 3 (HUI3) in patients with advanced HIV/AIDS, and to determine the responsiveness of this measure, the MOS-HIV and EQ-5D to HIV-related clinical events. Methods  Data from the OPTIMA (OPTions In Management with Antiretrovirals) trial was analyzed. Two aspects of the validity of the HUI3 were considered: concurrent validity was evaluated using Spearman correlations with MOS-HIV component and summary scores. Responsiveness to AIDS-defining events (ADE) and all adverse events (our external change criterion) was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curves. Results  The study enrolled 368 patients (mean follow-up: 3.66 years); 82% had at least one severe adverse event and 27% had at least one ADE. The HUI3 scale and items showed good concurrent validity, with 85% of the expected relationships with the MOS-HIV subscales verified. The HUI3 was responsive to both adverse events (AUROC [95%CI]: 0.68 [0.57, 0.80]) and ADEs (0.62 [0.51, 0.74]). The EQ-5D was responsive to ADEs (0.66 [0.56, 0.76]), but not responsive to adverse events (0.56 [0.46, 0.68]). Conclusion  The HUI3 is a valid and responsive measure of the change in HRQoL associated with clinical events in an advanced HIV/AIDS population.     

凉山州HIV/AIDS患者的社会支持现状及影响因素研究

  目的  了解凉山州艾滋病病毒（human immunodeficiency virus，HIV）感染者/艾滋病（acquired immune deficiency syndrome，AIDS）患者（people living with HIV/AIDS，PLWHA）的社会支持现状进行调查，并探索社会支持的相关影响因素，以期为干预措施制订提供参考。  方法  两阶段抽样法抽取322名研究对象，采用自制一般资料、简体中文版医疗社会支持量表及家庭关怀度指数测评表进行问卷调查。  结果  凉山州PLWHA社会支持总分为46.09（32.49，61.59）分，较其它地区患者水平低。各维度得分高低依次为:实际性支持为56.25（29.69，75.00）分；情感性支持为50.00（33.33，75.00）分；社会互动性合作为46.88（31.25，56.25）分；讯息与情绪性支持为43.75（25.00，56.25）分。多重线性逐步回归分析，结果显示年龄越大的PLWHA的社会支持水平越低（β=-1.997，P=0.037）；独居患者比非独居患者社会支持水平低（β=8.127，P=0.008）；家庭功能满意度越高的患者社会支持水平越高（β=13.809，P<0.001）。  结论  凉山州PLWHA的社会支持现状较差，亟待改善。同时需要加强对老人和独居者等特殊人群关怀，且医务人员应帮助患者建立全面的家庭支持系统。