HIV/AIDS & Episodic Disability: Keys to HEALing - bccpd

HEAL Guides | HIV/AIDS & Episodic Disability | Page 8
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³³Fatigue Important for Assessors
Service providers assessing level of disability, capacity for employment, and
need for home support and other in-home assistance must be aware of the
debilitating impact of HIV-related fatigue. (Harmon et al.)
³³Fatigue and Employment Link
A US study, completed in 2006, identified fatigue as “one of the most common
and debilitating complaints of HIV-positive individuals, potentially leading
to important functional limitations.” Those with lower levels of fatigue were
employed, had higher income, had lived with an HIV diagnosis for a longer
period of time and were receiving antiretroviral therapy. Participants who
were employed from the beginning of the fifteen month study showed some
improvement in their level of fatigue, while those who were unemployed did
not. (Pence et al.)
³³Fatigue and Other Chronic Illnesses
Researchers note that people with a combination of HIV and other chronic
illnesses are even more fatigued. The relationship between HIV and additional
(comorbid) illnesses is becoming an important issue as people with HIV now
live longer. Depression is a common comorbid illness for people living with
HIV and the link between depression and fatigue is well established. (Harmon
et al.)
³³Fatigue Unacknowledged
A 2006 Australian study also identified fatigue as a significant problem for
people living with HIV. Researchers found that, in addition to the difficulty
of coping with fatigue, “fatigue remains silent and invisible to participants’
families, friends and employers.” Furthermore, fatigue was “met with a lack
of acknowledgement and understanding from health professionals.” The
researchers note that people living with the fatigue of HIV developed coping
strategies by trial and error over time. (Jenkin et al.)
BC Coalition of People with Disabilities
Wellness & Disability Initiative