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Updated: Aug 5, 2026
05:53
Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
Human immunodeficiency virus infection in elderly patients
A A Butt1, K K Dascomb, K B DeSalvo
1Section of Infectious Diseases, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, New Orleans 70112, USA.
Southern Medical Journal
|May 3, 2001
Summary
Older adults diagnosed with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) face shorter survival. This study highlights key demographic differences and risk factors in this growing population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The prevalence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infections is increasing among the elderly population.
- Aging populations present unique challenges in HIV/AIDS management and care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the clinical characteristics and survival outcomes of older adults diagnosed with HIV.
- To compare outcomes between HIV-infected patients aged 60 years and older and younger controls.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective case-control study was conducted.
- 58 HIV-positive patients aged over 60 were compared with 232 age-matched controls.
- Data were sourced from the Adult Spectrum of Diseases (ASD) database.
Main Results:
- Older HIV patients were more likely to be male and belong to minority ethnic groups.
- Homosexual contact was the primary transmission route (53%).
- Disease staging and antiretroviral therapy use were similar, but older age was linked to shorter survival.
Conclusions:
- Individuals diagnosed with HIV at age 60 or older experience reduced survival rates compared to younger patients.
- Age is a significant prognostic factor in HIV infection outcomes.
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