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Human immunodeficiency virus and the autonomic nervous system: A study of cardiovascular reflexes

Recent reports suggest that human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus causing AIDS, may cause autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction. ANS abnormalities on cardiovascular reflex tests have been demonstrated in HIV+ persons, persons infected with HIV, who have signs of illness or have used intravenous drugs. In this study the cardiovascular reflex function of 11 HIV+ homosexual or bisexual males meeting the Centers for Disease Control criteria for absence of illness was compared to that of 11 uninfected homosexual or bisexual males of similar ages. Somatic, depression and fatigue differences between groups were assessed using an ANS symptom checklist, the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and the Profile of Mood States (POMS). Six of the 11 HIV+ subjects were impaired on the cardiovascular reflex tests. Differences on the BDI and POMS were not attributable to a depressive mood or despair, but rather to presence of mild symptoms of HIV infection and fatigue.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/277035
Date January 1989
CreatorsKaemingk, Kristine Lynn
ContributorsKaszniak, Alfred W.
PublisherThe University of Arizona.
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
Languageen_US
Detected LanguageEnglish
Typetext, Thesis-Reproduction (electronic)
RightsCopyright © is held by the author. Digital access to this material is made possible by the University Libraries, University of Arizona. Further transmission, reproduction or presentation (such as public display or performance) of protected items is prohibited except with permission of the author.

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