J Korean Neuropsychiatr Assoc.  2006 Jan;45(1):34-41.

Psychosocial Factors Associated with Biological Markers in Korean Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

• Lee SH
• Koh KB
• Kim JM
• Hong SK
• Choi TK
• Lee EH
• Suh SY

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
The purpose of this study was to identify psychosocial factors associated with biological markers in Korean patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection.
METHODS
50 patients with HIV infection were enrolled. We administered Stress Response Inventory (SRI), the Coping Scale, and the Korean version of Smithklein Beecham quality of life scale (QOL) to the 50 patients and measured CD4+ cell count and HIVRNA copies.
RESULTS
Simple correlation analysis showed significant correlation between psychosocial factors and CD4+ cell count. Tension, aggression, depression, frustration subscale in SRI and distancing, self controlling in coping scale had negative correlation with CD4+ cell count, whereas QOL showed positive correlation. Multiple regression analysis showed significant negative association between distancing and CD4+ cell count. There were no differences in CD4+ cell count and HIVRNA between homosexual patients and heterosexual patients. However, aggression, confrontation in SRI, and distancing in coping scale scored significantly higher in heterosexual patients than homosexual patients.
CONCLUSION
These results suggest that CD4+ cell count may be associated with psychosocial factors in Korean patients with HIV infection, and passive coping strategy like distancing may be one of important factors in the progression of HIV infection. These findings also suggest that psychosocial intervention programs are needed for Korean patients with HIV infection.

Keyword

HIV; Stress; CD4+ cell count; Coping strategy

MeSH Terms

Aggression
Biomarkers*
CD4 Lymphocyte Count
Depression
Frustration
Heterosexuality
HIV Infections
HIV*
Homosexuality
Humans
Humans*
Psychology*
Quality of Life