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Updated: May 14, 2026
05:53
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
Social Vulnerability, Perceived Stigma, and Multidimensional Frailty Among Older People Living with HIV: A Structural
Wenxiu Sun1, Yanyun Pan2, Jiajie Tang1
1Fudan University, Shanghai, China.
Clinical Nursing Research
|May 13, 2026
Summary
Social isolation and stigma worsen frailty in older people living with HIV (PWH). Interventions reducing social vulnerability and stigma can improve well-being and slow frailty progression in this population.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Public Health
- HIV/AIDS Research
Background:
- Older adults living with HIV (PWH) face unique challenges, including social vulnerability and stigma.
- Multidimensional frailty is a growing concern in aging populations, particularly among PWH.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the associations between social vulnerability, perceived stigma, and multidimensional frailty in older PWH.
- To examine the mediating roles of loneliness and perceived stigma in these relationships.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study was conducted with older PWH between December 2022 and October 2023.
- Data collected included sociodemographic characteristics, perceived stigma, social vulnerability (social isolation, loneliness), and multidimensional frailty.
- Statistical analyses were performed to determine correlations and mediating effects.
Main Results:
- Social vulnerability and perceived stigma were positively correlated with multidimensional frailty.
- Social isolation directly impacted frailty and indirectly influenced it through loneliness and perceived stigma.
- Loneliness and perceived stigma significantly mediated the relationship between social isolation and frailty.
Conclusions:
- Social isolation, loneliness, and perceived stigma are key factors contributing to frailty in older PWH.
- Interventions targeting stigma reduction and enhancing social connections are crucial for mitigating frailty.
- Assessing and addressing loneliness and stigma in socially isolated older PWH is essential for improving health outcomes.
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