Table 2 Frequency of symptoms in past week prior to starting ART and frequency, distress and prevalence of new symptoms after starting ART for 97 study participants
Symptom | Burden of symptoms prior to starting ART [n (%)] | Burden of symptoms after starting ART [n (%)] | Prevalence of high distress in participants with symptom after starting ART [n [%)] |
|---|---|---|---|
Pain | 77 (79%) | 58 (60%) | 34 (25%) |
Itching | 69 (69%) | 55 (57%) | 30(31%) |
Changes in skin | 49 (51%) | 51 (53%) | 26 (27%) |
Numbness/tingling in the hands/feet | 52 (54%) | 50 (52%) | 21 (22%) |
Hunger | 47 (43%) | 47 (43%) | 33 (34%) |
Cough | 44 (45%) | 45 (46%) | 14(14%) |
Worrying | 58 (60%) | 44 (45%) | 20(21%) |
Lack of energy | 51 (52%) | 42 (43%) | 17(18%) |
Problems with sexual interest/activity | 37 (33%) | 41 (42%) | 35 (36%) |
Feeling drowsy/tired | 53 (55%) | 40 (41%) | 11 (11%) |
Weight loss | 65 (67%) | 30 (31%) | 11 (11%) |
Lack of appetite | 45 (46%) | 27 (23%) | 16(16%) |
Sores or lumps on private parts | 22 (29%) | 27 (23%) | 11 (11%) |
Dizziness | 38 (39%) | 26(27%) | 12(12%) |
Changes in the way food tastes | 30 (31%) | 24 (25%) | 9 (9%) |
Feeling sad | 50 (52%) | 24 (25%) | 20(21%) |
Difficulty sleeping | 34 (35%) | 22 (23%) | 12(12%) |
Dry mouth | 32 (33%) | 20 (21%) | 5 (5%) |
Nausea | 20 (21%) | 20 (21%) | 8 (8%) |
Difficulty walking | 35 (36%) | 19 (20%) | 7(7%) |
I do not like myself | 28 (29%) | 18 (19%) | 13(13%) |
Muscle aches | 27 (28%) | 18 (19%) | 9 (9%) |
Difficulty seeing well - poor vision | 18 (19%) | 17 (18%) | 6 (6%) |
Constipation | 16 (16%) | 15 (15%) | 7(7%) |
Problems urinating | 18 (19%) | 14 (14%) | 5 (5%) |
Sweats | 29 (30%) | 14 (14%) | 4 (4%) |
Diarrhea | 16 (16%) | 13 (13%) | 7(7%) |
Feeling bloated | 17 (18%) | 13 (13%) | 4 (4%) |
Difficulty swallowing | I5 (16%) | 12 (12%) | 11 (11%) |
Feeling irritable | 26 (27%) | 11(11%) | 2 (2%) |
Difficulty concentrating | 7 (7%) | 10 (10%) | 3 (3%) |
Difficulty moving | 14 (14%) | 10 (10%) | 2 (2%) |
Shortness of breath | 16 (17%) | 10 (10%) | 4 (4%) |
Bad smell/odour from body | 8(8%) | 8(8%) | 2 (2%) |
Feeling nervous | 27 (28%) | 8(8%) | 4 (4%) |
Difficulty hearing well - poor hearing | 6 (6%) | 7(7%) | 2 (2%) |
Hair loss | 11 (11%) | 7(7%) | 3 (3%) |
Swelling of arms or legs | 9 (9%) | 7(7%) | 3 (3%) |
Discharge from private parts | 15 (16%) | 6(6%) | 4 (4%) |
Vomiting | 8 (8%) | 5(5%) | 1 (1%) |
Mouth sores | 19 (20%) | 3(3%) | 3 (3%) |