Quality of Life, Depression and Sexual Function in Men Living With HIV

Combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has markedly improved survival and virologic outcomes in people living with HIV; however, impairments in quality of life, mental health, and sexual function may persist even under long-term effective treatment. These outcomes are clinically important because they influence treatment adherence, overall wellbeing, and long-term health.

This is a comparative, observational, case-control study conducted at the outpatient clinic of the Department of Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology at Kocaeli University Hospital. The study includes heterosexual men living with HIV who are receiving regular cART and have achieved virologic suppression confirmed at two consecutive visits. A control group of healthy male volunteers matched for age and key sociodemographic characteristics is recruited from companions of patients attending the same clinic.

During a three-week recruitment period, all eligible participants are invited to complete a set of validated self-report questionnaires in a quiet environment without researcher interference. Sociodemographic data are collected, including age, educational status, marital status, physical activity, living conditions, smoking, and alcohol use.

Quality of life is assessed using the EUROHIS-QOL-8 (WHOQOL-8), depressive symptoms are measured using the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and sexual function is evaluated using the Arizona Sexual Experience Scale (ASEX), all of which have validated Turkish versions. These instruments provide continuous measures of wellbeing, depression severity, and sexual dysfunction.

The primary objective is to compare quality of life, depression, and sexual function between men living with HIV and healthy controls. Secondary objectives include evaluating correlations between depression, sexual function, quality of life, and age within each group. The results are intended to clarify the psychosocial and sexual health burden among virologically suppressed men living with HIV and to inform routine screening and supportive care strategies in HIV clinics.

Inclusion criteria

• Age ≥ 18 years
• Male sex
• Heterosexual orientation
• Confirmed diagnosis of HIV infection
• Receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART)
• Virologic suppression confirmed at two consecutive visits
• Ability to understand and complete the questionnaires

Exclusion criteria

• Female sex
• Age < 18 years
• Advanced HIV disease
• Presence of significant comorbid medical conditions
• Cognitive impairment or communication difficulties that could interfere with completion of the survey