Ageing in patients with chronic HIV infection: impact of hypercoagulation

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Virology
• Immunology

Background:

• Ageing is a natural biological process leading to organ dysfunction and death.
• HIV infection is increasingly perceived to accelerate the ageing process.
• Antiretroviral therapy has improved life expectancy for people with HIV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of ageing in the context of HIV infection.
• To discuss how HIV complications impact the ageing process.
• To explore the relationship between HIV and ageing to inform clinical management.

Main Methods:

• Literature review and synthesis of existing research on HIV and ageing.
• Analysis of the impact of HIV-related comorbidities on ageing.
• Discussion of clinical implications for managing ageing HIV-positive patients.

Main Results:

• People with HIV are ageing faster than the general population.
• Increased life expectancy leads to a higher prevalence of age-related comorbidities in HIV-positive individuals.
• HIV complications significantly influence the ageing trajectory.

Conclusions:

• Effective management of ageing HIV-positive patients requires understanding the interplay between HIV and ageing.
• Further research into HIV-ageing interactions can illuminate 'normal' ageing processes.
• Clinicians need to address age-related comorbidities in the growing population of ageing individuals with HIV.