Body Image in Men with HIV

Objective: To determine body image among HIV-infected men and to determine the relationship of lipodystrophy on body image.

Methodology: Self-report questionnaires on body image were distributed to HIV-infected men at the university-based HIV clinic. Two previously validated instruments, the Body Image Quality of Life (BIQLI) scale and the Situational Inventory of Body Image Dysphoria Short Form (SIBID-S) were used to measure body image effects. The presence of lipodystrophy was determined by both self-report and physician examination. Demographic characteristics, disease stage, health status, and quality of life were also ascertained. Analysis of responses was performed via both group comparisons and linear regression analyses.

Results: One hundred ten men responded. Seventy-one percent identified their sexual orientation as men having sex with men (MSM). Forty-eight reported the presence of lipodystrophic characteristics; 62 reported no lipodystrophic changes. Agreement regarding the presence of lipodystrophy between physician and subject was 0.80 as measured by the kappa coefficient of agreement. Compared to HIV-infected men who denied lipodystrophy, HIV-infected men with self-reported lipodystrophy demonstrated poor body image as measured by BIQLI (p < 0.0001) and SIBID-S scales (p = 0.0001). Similarly, physician rated lipodystrophy was significantly associated with both body image subscale scores.

Conclusions: We demonstrate that lipodystrophy among HIV-infected men is associated with poor body image.