Multimorbidity among persons living with human immunodeficiency virus in a moroccan referral hospital

Multimorbidity is the co-existing of two or more chronic health conditions in addition to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). In Morocco, the prevalence of and factors associated with multimorbidity in HIV-infected patients have not been well-documented.

This cross-sectional analysis was conducted in 2018 and included 269 HIV-infected patients. Medical records were reviewed to identify chronic health conditions and to rate multimorbidity using the Cumulative Illness Rating Scale (CIRS). Associations between a higher CIRS score and risk factors were assessed using linear regression.

The mean age was 48.9 ± 10.7 years with a male predominance (75.5%). One in 5 (20,8%) had ever been diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. More than a 3^rd (34.8%) of the patients had two or more chronic health conditions in addition to HIV. The most frequently documented comorbidities were metabolic complications followed by vascular disease. In multivariate analysis, older age, male gender, duration of receiving antiretroviral therapy, taking indinavir-containing antiretroviral regimen, having ever been stage Centers for Disease Control and Prevention B or C, and current viral load ≥50 copies mL^-1 were associated with a higher CIRS score.

The prevalence of comorbidities is substantially high. Care models for people living with HIV should include assessing and managing multimorbidity, particularly in patients who present with these associated factors.