Health-related quality of life and health locus of control beliefs among HIV-infected treated patients

Objective: This study examined the relations between health locus of control (HLOC) beliefs and health-related quality of life (HRQL) in 302 HIV-infected patients enrolled in a French cohort, 44 months (M44) after they began highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Methods: HLOC beliefs were measured with the Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (MHLOC) scale and HRQL, with the Medical Outcome Study Short-Form Health Survey (MOS-SF-36). Results: Internal HLOC beliefs at the initiation of treatment were associated with both physical HRQL in multivariate analysis, while chance HLOC beliefs on beginning HAART were associated with mental HRQL at M44. Conclusion: These findings suggest the importance of considering the psychological characteristics and psychosocial beliefs of patients at the initiation of ARV treatment to optimise the long-term HRQL of HIV-infected patient and to develop adaptive intervention on coping strategies. (c) 2005 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.