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Unrecognized human immunodeficiency virus infection in the elderly
Archives of Internal Medicine
|January 23, 1995
Summary
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection is a significant risk for older adults, with 5.05% of elderly patients testing positive. HIV prevention programs must include the elderly to address this unrecognized health concern.
Area of Science:
- Gerontology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in the elderly population in the United States is underrecognized.
- This is due to exclusion from targeted HIV testing and a misconception of low risk in this demographic.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the prevalence of HIV infection among elderly patients (60 years and older).
Main Methods:
- Retrieved and tested excess serum samples from deceased patients aged 60+ without a prior HIV diagnosis.
- Reviewed medical charts of individuals identified as HIV-positive.
Main Results:
- 13 out of 257 (5.05%) serum samples tested positive for HIV antibodies.
- HIV infection rates were 6.2% in men and 8.9% in women aged 60-79.
- No deaths among the 13 HIV-positive patients were directly attributed to HIV infection.
Conclusions:
- Elderly individuals in high HIV seroprevalence communities face significant risk.
- Further evaluation is needed for the health impact, clinical outcomes, and treatment requirements of unrecognized HIV in the elderly.
- HIV prevention and education initiatives should encompass the elderly, supported by further seroprevalence studies.