HIV and ageing: what the geriatrician needs to know

"They didn't think we'd live this long": A qualitative exploration of older adults living with HIV perspectives on geriatric care in Ontario

INTRODUCTION

Advances in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) care have increased life expectancy, leading to more older adults living with HIV. This study examines older adults' perspectives on geriatric healthcare needs.

METHODS

A community-based qualitative study in Ontario, Canada, recruited some adults aged 50+ years living with HIV through quota and purposive sampling. Quota sampling was used to include individuals of different ages, genders and ethno-racial backgrounds to capture a range of experiences. Data were collected via semi-structured interviews and focus groups, analyzed using the Qualitative Analysis Guide of Leuven.

RESULTS

Participants included interviewees (n = 14) and focus group attendees (n = 12). Four themes emerged: (1) lack of knowledge and access to geriatric care, highlighting service challenges; (2) healthcare providers' understanding of HIV and ageing, with stigma concerns; (3) role of social support networks for emotional/practical support; and (4) requirements for improved geriatric care, advocating provider education and greater social care access.

CONCLUSIONS

Gaps in geriatric care for older adults with HIV highlight stigma, access issues and the need for education, virtual care and tailored, inclusive healthcare solutions.

The incidence of multimorbidity and patterns in accumulation of chronic conditions: A systematic review

Multimorbidity, the presence of 1+ chronic condition in an individual, remains one of the greatest challenges to health on a global scale. Although the prevalence of multimorbidity has been well-established, its incidence is not fully understood. This systematic review determined the incidence of multimorbidity across the lifespan; the order in which chronic conditions accumulate to result in multimorbidity; and cataloged methods used to determine and report accumulation of chronic conditions resulting in multimorbidity. Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, and Cochrane electronic databases. Two independent reviewers evaluated studies for inclusion and performed quality assessments. Of 36 included studies, there was high heterogeneity in study design and operational definitions of multimorbidity. Studies reporting incidence (n = 32) reported a median incidence rate of 30.7 per 1,000 person-years (IQR 39.5 per 1,000 person-years) and a median cumulative incidence of 2.8% (IQR 28.7%). Incidence was notably higher for persons with older age and 1+ chronic conditions at baseline. Studies reporting patterns in accumulation of chronic conditions (n = 5) reported hypertensive and heart diseases, and diabetes, as among the common starting conditions resulting in later multimorbidity. Methods used to discern patterns were highly heterogenous, ranging from the use of latent growth trajectories to divisive cluster analyses, and presentation using alluvial plots to cluster trajectories. Studies reporting the incidence of multimorbidity and patterns in accumulation of chronic conditions vary greatly in study designs and definitions used. To allow for more accurate estimations and comparison, studies must be transparent and consistent in operational definitions of multimorbidity applied.

Specialist care of older adults with HIV infection in the UK: a service evaluation

OBJECTIVES

There is a clear trajectory towards cohort ageing in the UK. HIV infection is associated with an increased prevalence of traditionally age-related comorbidities and geriatric syndromes. Some HIV services have been proactive in innovating models that cater for adapting needs. We aimed to describe how widespread this practice is and what form such services take.

METHODS

We conducted an evaluation of the perceived need for and current provision of specialist ageing services, and the need for formal guidance on monitoring or treatment of older adults with HIV infection. A web-based questionnaire was sent to the audit lead at every British HIV Association (BHIVA)-registered HIV clinic.

RESULTS

A total of 102 clinics responded, with a broad geographical spread. Five of the 102 clinics have a clinician with an interest in ageing. Two dedicated HIV ageing services exist, practising different models. A quarter (23 of 98; 23%) of clinics reported a need for an ageing service, with three in development. The majority (65 of 95; 68%) supported dedicated guidance for monitoring in older adults, but fewer (39 of 94; 41%) felt that dedicated guidance on treatment was necessary.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified two existing and three proposed HIV ageing services. Another 20 clinics (20%) reported an unmet need for a specialist ageing service, suggesting that complex older adults may pose a management challenge. This is the first survey of its kind to attempt to describe the current landscape and opinion around such services. HIV-infected cohorts will continue to age and current models of care may be insufficient, which should prompt services, their users and commissioners to consider what models may best fit current and future demand.

Aging with HIV vs. HIV seroconversion at older age: a diverse population with distinct comorbidity profiles

OBJECTIVE

People aging with HIV might have different health conditions compared with people who seroconverted at older ages. The study objective was to assess the prevalence of, and risk factors for, individual co-morbidities and multimorbidity (MM) between HIV-positive patients with a longer duration of HIV infection, and patients who seroconverted at an older age. We compared estimates across both groups to a matched community-based cohort sampled from the general population.

METHODS

We performed a case-control study including antiretroviral therapy (ART)-experienced patients who were HIV seropositive for ≥ 20.6 years ("HIV-Aging"), or who were seropositive for < 11.3 years ("HIV-Aged") having access in 2013 at the Modena HIV Metabolic Clinic. Patients were matched in a 1:3 ratio with controls from the CINECA ARNO database. MM was defined as the concurrent presence of >2 NICM. Logistic regression models were constructed to evaluate associated predictors of NICM and MM.

RESULTS

We analysed 404 HIV-Aging and 404 HIV-Aged participants in comparison to 2424 controls. The mean age was 46.7 ± 6.2 years, 28.9% were women. Prevalence of HIV co-morbidities and MM were significantly higher in the HIV-positive groups compared to the general population (p<0.001) and a trend towards higher rates of MM was found in aging vs aged group. This difference turned to be significant in patients above the age of 45 years old (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

People aging with HIV display heterogeneous health conditions. Host factors and duration of HIV infection are associated with increased risk of MM compared to the general population.