Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 26, 2026
Genotypic Inference of HIV-1 Tropism Using Population-based Sequencing of V3
Published on: December 27, 2010
Racial Differences in Change in Physical Functioning in Older Male Veterans with HIV
Mehri S McKellar1, Maragatha N Kuchibhatla2, Kris Ann K Oursler3,4
1Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
Insights
Physical functioning in older Black and White men with HIV remained stable over time. Maintaining independence requires managing chronic conditions and promoting healthy behaviors like exercise.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Longitudinal physical functioning in older African American/Black and White individuals with HIV is understudied.
- Older adults with HIV may experience accelerated aging and functional decline.
- Understanding factors influencing physical function is crucial for maintaining independence in aging populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine longitudinal changes in physical functioning among older African American/Black and White men with and without HIV.
- To identify demographic, health, and behavioral factors associated with physical functioning (SF-12 PCS) in this population.
- To assess the influence of race and HIV status on physical functioning trajectories.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of up to 10 years of data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Survey.
- Inclusion of African American/Black (N=1,157) and White (N=400) men with HIV, and HIV-negative controls (N=1,137 and 530, respectively), aged 50-91.
- Use of mixed-effects models to evaluate associations with SF-12 Physical Component Summary (PCS) scores, including HIV biomarkers for infected individuals.
Main Results:
- Physical component summary (PCS) scores were approximately one standard deviation below the general U.S. population but remained stable over time (ages 65-75) across all HIV/race groups.
- No clinically significant differences in PCS scores were found based on race or HIV status.
- Poorer PCS scores were associated with older age, low socioeconomic status, chronic conditions, depression, lower BMI, and smoking; exercising and HIV infection were associated with better PCS scores.
Conclusions:
- Neither race nor HIV status significantly impacted physical functioning (PCS) trajectories in older male veterans.
- Physical functioning remained relatively stable over a decade in this cohort.
- Controlling chronic diseases, managing depression, and promoting exercise are key to maintaining physical independence in this population.
Abstract:
Little is known about longitudinal change in physical functioning of older African American/Black and White HIV-infected persons. We examined up to 10 years of data on African American (N = 1,157) and White (N = 400) men with HIV infection and comparable HIV-negative men (n = 1,137 and 530, respectively), age 50-91 years from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study Survey sample. Physical functioning was assessed using the SF-12 (12-Item Short Form Health Survey) physical component summary (PCS) score. Mixed-effects models examined association of demographics, health conditions, health behaviors, and selected interactions with PCS score; HIV biomarkers were evaluated for HIV-infected persons. PCS scores were approximately one standard deviation below that of the general U.S. population of similar age. Across the four HIV/race groups, over time and through ages 65-75 years, PCS scores were maintained; differences were not clinically significant. PCS score was not associated with race or with interactions among age, race, and HIV status. CD4 and viral load counts of African American and White HIV-infected men were similar. Older age, low socioeconomic status, chronic health conditions and depression, lower body mass index, and smoking were associated with poorer PCS score in both groups. Exercising and, counterintuitively, being HIV infected were associated with better PCS score. Among these older African American and White male veterans, neither race nor HIV status was associated with PCS score, which remained relatively stable over time. Chronic disease, depression, and lack of exercise were associated with lower PCS score. To maintain independence in this population, attention should be paid to controlling chronic conditions, and emphasizing good health behaviors.
More Related Videos
09:01A Method for Investigating Age-related Differences in the Functional Connectivity of Cognitive Control Networks Associated with Dimensional Change Card Sort Performance
Published on: May 7, 2014
05:46Rapid Screening of HIV Reverse Transcriptase and Integrase Inhibitors
Published on: April 9, 2014
Related Concept Videos
02:57Physical and Chemical Properties of Matter
03:00Standard Entropy Change for a Reaction
01:23Infertility in Males
01:05Difference from Background: Limit of Detection
The LOD indicates the presence or absence...
01:16Electric Potential and Potential Difference
When a test charge moves from the initial to the final position, the electric potential difference between those positions is defined as the ratio of the change in the potential energy to the charge on the...
01:20Disorders of the Male Reproductive System
Prostate disorders are another major concern. These conditions can impair urinary flow due to the prostate's location around the urethra....