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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
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Frailty in people living with HIV: an update
Howell T Jones1,2, Tom Levett3,4, Tristan J Barber1,5
1Royal Free Hospital, Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases
|November 20, 2021
Summary
Frailty is increasingly common in the aging HIV population. Early screening and management strategies are needed to address associated factors like cognitive impairment and falls in people living with HIV.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) population is aging, leading to increased prevalence of frailty.
- Management strategies for frailty in people living with HIV are not well-defined.
- Prevalence, diagnostic methods, and associated factors of frailty in this cohort require further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the current understanding of frailty in the aging HIV population.
- To identify prevalence, diagnostic approaches, and associated factors of frailty.
- To highlight the need for improved management strategies.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of studies on frailty in people living with HIV.
- Analysis of prevalence data, diagnostic tools (Fried Frailty Phenotype, Clinical Frailty Scale), and associated factors.
- Examination of outcomes such as physical activity, falls, and cardiovascular risk.
Main Results:
- Prevalence of frailty is heterogeneous but significant, especially when prefrailty is included.
- Routine screening for frailty in individuals aged 50 and older is recommended.
- HIV neurocognitive impairment, long-term alcohol use, and NAFLD with fibrosis are associated with frailty; frail individuals experience reduced activity and increased falls.
- The Pooled Cohort Equations are effective for cardiovascular risk assessment in frail people living with HIV.
Conclusions:
- Frailty and prefrailty represent a substantial health concern for the aging HIV population globally.
- Healthcare services must develop and implement strategies to support people living with HIV and frailty.
- Further longitudinal research is essential to refine understanding and management.
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