The Impact of Palliative Care on Quality of Life and Cortisol Levels in HIV/AIDS Patients with Anxiety

Abstract

Background: Individuals with HIV/AIDS often experience significant physical and mental burdens. Palliative care has emerged as a means to improve the quality of life for people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). This study aims to determine the effect of palliative care on the quality of life and psychoneuroimmunoendocrine aspects in PLWHA, particularly those suffering from anxiety, as indicated by cortisol hormone levels. Methods: A total of 30 PLWHA with anxiety were selected based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. This study employed a quantitative design with a quasi-experimental one-group pre-test and post-test approach. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test to assess the impact of the intervention on quality of life and cortisol hormone levels. Results: The findings indicated a significant improvement in quality of life following palliative care (p = 0.000, p < 0.05). The cortisol levels in PLWHA with anxiety decreased following palliative care; however, the reduction was not statistically significant, suggesting that palliative care had no measurable impact on cortisol levels post-intervention (p = 0.845, p > 0.05). Conclusion: Palliative care significantly enhances the quality of life in PLWHA. However, it does not lead to a statistically significant reduction in cortisol hormone levels before and after the intervention. Factors such as patient compliance with the palliative care plan and the influence of efavirenz on cortisol levels in PLWHA are likely contributing to these results.