Estado emocional y conducta de enfermedad en pacientes con VIH/SIDA y enfermos oncológicos

The aim of this paper is to present data as to emotional distress and illness behavior of HIV patients w^en oon^Kired to cancer patients and the general population. The sample consisted of 180 subjects. Questionnaires were used to evaluate: trait anxiety, state anxiety, dq>ression, self- esteem, abnormal illness behavior, perceived social support and interference through illness. The results indicate that HIV patients have a psychological profile with higher trait and state anxiety, signiflcantly higher leveis of depression, and significantly lower self-esteem duin the other groups. Furthermore, HTV patients worry more about their health, peroeive significantly less social 8iq>port than cancer patients and a higher interference from the illness in their Uves. Our conclusion points at the need for a specific therapeutic approach for HIV patients that takes into consideration their diflferential profile when compared to other major diseases.