[HIV infection in older patients: an emerging problem]

Over the last years the proportion of old individuals infected with HIV is increasing. Epidemiological data show that HIV-infected patients is ageing in parallel with the use of potent treatment and that the number of older patients who are newly diagnosed is increasing. Older people have a higher prevalence of sexual HIV transmission and the infection tend to be diagnosed at an advanced stage. Management of HIV infection in older patients is particularly complex for presence of co-morbidities that may be worse the antiretroviral treatment (ART) associated toxicity. Information campaigns targeting older patients and their doctors are needed to ensure timely diagnosis of HIV infection and ART.