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Universal access to Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) has transformed HIV/AIDS into a chronic disease and issues like social support and Quality of life (QOL) have emerged as important components of care. Perceived social support influences QOL in People Living with HIV (PLHIV), though this has not been studied well in India. PLHIV were assessed for Social Support using the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) and QOL was assessed with the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. The factors impacting social support and its effect of on QOL were analysed. Amongst the 109 study subjects, 62 (56.9%) were men, 47 (43.1%) were women, mean age was 35 ± 7.5 years, 85.3% had WHO stage 1 disease and 80 (73.4%) were receiving ART. Only 43.1% subjects perceived high overall social support. Social support (from family/friends/others) was associated positively with physical functioning (p = 0.001), social and cognitive functioning (p = 0.000) and significantly inversely associated with depression (p = 0.002). Higher perceived social support was seen to correlate with higher CD4 count (Peak, Nadir and Current; p < 0.05) and better adherence (p = 0.003). It is concluded that social support, including support from beyond family, have a significant impact on clinical endpoints and QOL in PLHIV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sarcoidosis is a multisystem disease with dominant pulmonary involvement (90%). Isolated extrapulmonary involvement is less common. Skeletal muscle (1-2%) involvement is even rare. We report a 40 year old lady presented with easy fatigability, low grade fever for 5-6 months and generalized myalgias. Examination revealed pallor, a receding hair line, hepatomegaly and proximal muscle weakness. Investigations revealed anemia, hypercalcemia and raised serum ACE level. During hospital stay patient developed right sided hemiparesis (acute vasculitic infarct in left parietal cortex). A FDG-PET scan was done which revealed that the muscles of upper and lower limbs showed diffuse, heterogenous areas of increased FDG avidity suggestive of myositis. Final diagnosis of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis (presenting as myositis along with CNS vasculitis and hypercalcemia) was made. Patient showed marked improvement in her symptoms with immunosuppressive therapy. This case is a rare manifestation of extrapulmonary sarcoidosis and emphasizes the role of FDG-PET in diagnosing these cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]