The impact of chronic venous insufficiency and leg function on the quality of life of HIV-positive persons.

Chronic venous insufficiency and subsequent difficulties in leg function are causally linked to injection drug use and quality of life. Because injection drug use is a risk factor for human immunodeficiency virus infection, chronic venous insufficiency would be expected to occur with a higher prevalence in HIV-positive persons, yet the impact of chronic venous insufficiency on quality of life has not been investigated in this population. A cross-sectional design with quota sampling was used to enroll 73 HIV-positive participants-- 46 injection drug users and 27 non-injection drug users -- in this quality-of-life study. Questionnaires were read to participants and their legs were assessed for evidence of chronic venous insufficiency. Leg function scores, comprising assessment of leg pain, interference, and difficulty in using legs, were significantly related (P <.05) to quality-of-life scores, controlling for comorbid health problems. Chronic venous insufficiency, injection drug use, and leg function were interrelated. The legs of HIV-positive persons who have injected drugs should be assessed for manifestations of chronic venous insufficiency and other functional impairments. Further research involving a larger sample and assessment of chronic venous insufficiency treatments, including quality of life and leg function in HIV-positive persons, is needed.