HIV-infected patients aged above 75years

Area of Science:

• Geriatrics
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Limited data exists on the health status of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients aged over 75 years.
• This demographic represents a growing population within HIV care.
• Understanding their specific health needs is crucial for effective management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the characteristics of HIV-infected patients aged over 75 years.
• To assess the prevalence of geriatric comorbidities in this population.
• To evaluate the current management and health outcomes of elderly HIV patients.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study was conducted across six hospitals in the Pays de la Loire region, France.
• Data on socio-demographic, immuno-virological, and therapeutic characteristics were collected using electronic medical records (Nadis®).
• A simplified geriatric assessment was performed during routine visits to evaluate frailty.

Main Results:

• Out of 3965 patients, 65 (1.6%) were over 75 years old; 51 were included in the study.
• The majority were male (74.5%), with a median age of 78.7 years and a median HIV infection duration of 18.8 years.
• All patients received antiretroviral therapy (ART) with viral suppression (HIV RNA<50c/mL) in 98%. High prevalence of comorbidities was noted: 82% had at least one, 58% had at least two.
• Significant geriatric issues were identified: 21.6% at risk of frailty, 3.9% frail, 60.8% with cognitive disorders, 35.3% with depression, 25.5% with malnutrition, and 45.9% with vitamin D deficiency.

Conclusions:

• HIV-infected patients over 75 years old are generally well-managed with effective antiretroviral therapy.
• However, there is a high prevalence of geriatric comorbidities, including cognitive disorders, depression, and frailty, in this population.
• These findings highlight the need for integrated geriatric care within HIV management for older adults.