Frailty, Neurocognitive Impairment, or Both in Predicting Poor Health Outcomes Among Adults Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

Plasma Neurofilament Light Chain and Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein as Biomarkers of Cognitive Decline in People With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

BACKGROUND

We examined the relationship between neurofilament light chain (NfL) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) and cognition in people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) at baseline and longitudinally.

METHODS

Plasma and clinical data were available from virally suppressed people with HIV (PWH) aged ≥45 years in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group HAILO study. Four neuropsychological assessments standardized and averaged (NPZ-4) represented cognition. Plasma collection date marked baseline; slope summarized longitudinal NPZ-4 changes. Linear regressions examined biomarkers associations with baseline NPZ-4 and longitudinal change.

RESULTS

The study included 503 participants with a median age of 52 (interquartile range [IQR, 48-57]) years and observation of 6 (IQR, 5-7) years, and 26% had baseline cognitive impairment defined by HAILO. Cross-sectionally, higher NfL (β = -.76, P < .01) and GFAP (β = -.44, P = .02) were associated with worse NPZ-4. Longitudinally, the median NPZ-4 slope was 0.003 (IQR, -0.06 to 0.06) units/year with 48% demonstrating cognitive decline. Higher NfL (β = -.08, P < .01), but not GFAP (β = -.03, P = .08), was associated with cognitive decline.

CONCLUSIONS

NfL and GFAP were associated with worse cognition cross-sectionally; only NfL was associated with cognitive decline. Their clinical utility remains uncertain given small effect sizes and should be studied in populations with more rapid decline.

The clinical utility of three frailty measures in identifying HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders

OBJECTIVE

Frailty measures vary widely and the optimal measure for predicting HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) is unclear.

DESIGN

A study was conducted to examine the clinical utility of three widely used frailty measures in identifying HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders.

METHODS

The study involved 284 people with HIV (PWH) at least 50 years enrolled at UC San Diego's HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. Frailty measurements included the Fried Phenotype, the Rockwood Frailty Index, and the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index. HAND was diagnosed according to Frascati criteria. ANOVAs examined differences in frailty severity across HAND conditions. ROC analyses evaluated sensitivity and specificity of each measure to detect symptomatic HAND [mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) and HIV-associated dementia (HAD)] from no HAND.

RESULTS

Across all frailty measures, frailty was found to be higher in HAD compared with no HAND. For Fried and Rockwood (not VACS), frailty was significantly more severe in MND vs. no HAND and in HAD vs. ANI (asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment). For discriminating symptomatic HAND from no HAND, Fried was 37% sensitive and 92% specific, Rockwood was 85% sensitive and 43% specific, and VACS was 58% sensitive and 65% specific.

CONCLUSION

These findings demonstrate that Fried and Rockwood outperform VACS in predicting HAND. However, ROC analyses suggest none of the indices had adequate predictive validity in detecting HAND. The results indicate that the combined use of the Rockwood and Fried indices may be an appropriate alternative.

Assessment, Prevalence, and Correlates of Frailty among Moroccan People Aged 50 and above Living with HIV

BACKGROUND

Persons living with HIV experience many challenges, such as premature aging and geriatric syndromes. Frailty has become an important determinant of a series of adverse health outcomes. This research aimed to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors for frailty in this population.

METHODS

A cross-sectional outpatient investigation was conducted in an urban HIV clinic. Patients aged 50 and older living with HIV were included. Frailty phenotype was evaluated using the original Fried criteria, and we calculated the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index, Charlson Comorbidity Index, Fracture Risk Assessment Tool scores, and Mini-mental State Exam scores.

RESULTS

One hundred and nine individuals were studied. Ninety-two (84.4%) were men, with a mean age of 57.65.2 years. Fourteen (12.8%) participants were frail. Frail participants were older (P = 0.001) and less likely to be virally suppressed (P = 0.01). Having ≥3 comorbidities, VACS index, polypharmacy, and 5-year mortality risk was significantly greater in the frail group. Frailty was significantly associated with poorer quality of life (P = 0.02). The cognitive impairment, falls, and malnutrition risk were significantly associated with a risk to manifest a frail phenotype.

CONCLUSION

Frailty is common among Moroccans with HIV, and it is associated with greater morbidity and mortality rates. Our findings should serve as a warning sign to standardize frailty and geriatric syndrome screening in this population.

Frailty and prefrailty phenotypes increase the odds of abnormal cognitive impairment screens in people with HIV

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate whether prefrail and frail people with HIV (PWH) have a higher risk of cognitive impairment on screens.

METHODS

Analysis of PWH aged 70 or older included in the ANRS EP66 SEPTAVIH cohort, on antiretroviral therapy for at least 12 months and with a MoCA test at enrolment. Adjusted risk of a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) less than 26 was compared in frail/prefrail versus robust PWH.

RESULTS

A total of 503 PWH were enrolled with a median age of 73 years, IQR [71-77], 81.5% were male, 73.8% were French natives, 32.9% had low socio-economic status (EPICES score >30.2), and 41.3% were college graduates; 27.3% had a history of clinical AIDS. A total of 294 (58.5%) PWH had a MoCA score less than 26; 182 (36%) a MoCA score 23 or less. Frailty, prefrailty and robustness were found in 13.1, 63.6 and 23.3% participants, respectively. PWH with a MoCA less than 26 had a significantly higher risk of being frail/prefrail, this before [odds ratio (OR) = 2.31; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.50-3.57], and after adjustment for confounders (OR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.07-3.01). The risk of being frail/prefrail in patients with a MoCA 23 or less was higher (adjusted OR = 2.75; 95% CI 1.46-5.16). Other factors independently associated with a MoCA less than 26 were older age, birth outside of France and a lower education level and being diabetic.

CONCLUSION

Abnormal MoCA screens were frequent in our cohort of PWH aged 70 or older with controlled HIV disease. Cognitive impairment should be systematically screened in frail/prefrail PWH. Frailty/prefrailty, diabetes and social factors, but not HIV-related factors, are important determinants of cognitive function in PWH with controlled disease.

Mechanisms underlying HIV-associated cognitive impairment and emerging therapies for its management

People living with HIV are affected by the chronic consequences of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) despite antiretroviral therapies that suppress viral replication, improve health and extend life. Furthermore, viral suppression does not eliminate the virus, and remaining infected cells may continue to produce viral proteins that trigger neurodegeneration. Comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus are likely to contribute substantially to CNS injury in people living with HIV, and some components of antiretroviral therapy exert undesirable side effects on the nervous system. No treatment for HIV-associated NCI has been approved by the European Medicines Agency or the US Food and Drug Administration. Historically, roadblocks to developing effective treatments have included a limited understanding of the pathophysiology of HIV-associated NCI and heterogeneity in its clinical manifestations. This heterogeneity might reflect multiple underlying causes that differ among individuals, rather than a single unifying neuropathogenesis. Despite these complexities, accelerating discoveries in HIV neuropathogenesis are yielding potentially druggable targets, including excessive immune activation, metabolic alterations culminating in mitochondrial dysfunction, dysregulation of metal ion homeostasis and lysosomal function, and microbiome alterations. In addition to drug treatments, we also highlight the importance of non-pharmacological interventions. By revisiting mechanisms implicated in NCI and potential interventions addressing these mechanisms, we hope to supply reasons for optimism in people living with HIV affected by NCI and their care providers.

CROI 2023: Neuropsychiatric Complications in People With HIV

The 2023 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) featured new and impactful findings about neuropsychiatric complications in people with HIV and other infections. Reports included new evidence of (a) the importance of myeloid cells in the pathogenesis of HIV disease in the central nervous system, including as an HIV reservoir; (b) eukaryotic and prokaryotic viruses in cerebrospinal fluid during suppressive antiretroviral therapy; (c) the influence of sex on pathogenesis, including in novel neuropsychiatric biotypes identified by machine learning and other methods;(d) premature aging in people with HIV, including the brain-age gap observed on magnetic resonance imaging; (e) cellular and soluble biomarkers of neuropsychiatric complications in people with HIV; and (f) the neurotoxicity of certain antiretroviral drugs. This review summarizes these and other new findings and highlights new research directions for the neuro-HIV field.

Association Between Metformin Use and Cognitive and Physical Function in Persons with HIV and Diabetes

Older persons with HIV (PWH) experience high rates of cognitive impairment and frailty, and accelerated decline in physical function compared with the general population. Metformin use has been associated with beneficial effects on cognitive and physical function among older adults without HIV. The relationship between metformin use on these outcomes in PWH has not been evaluated. AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 is an observational cohort study of older PWH with annual assessments for cognition and frailty, including measures of physical function (e.g., gait speed and grip strength). Participants with diabetes who were prescribed antihyperglycemic medications were included in this analysis to evaluate the association between metformin and functional outcomes. Cross-sectional, longitudinal, and time-to-event models were used to evaluate the relationship between metformin exposure with cognitive, physical function, and frailty outcomes. Ninety-eight PWH met inclusion criteria and were included in at least one model. No significant associations between metformin use, frailty, physical, or cognitive function were noted in unadjusted or adjusted cross-sectional, longitudinal, or time-to-event models (p > .1 for all models). This study is the first to examine the association between metformin use on functional outcomes among older PWH. Although it did not ascertain significant associations between metformin use and functional outcomes, our small sample size, restriction to persons with diabetes, and lack of randomization to metformin therapy were limitations. Larger randomized studies are needed to determine whether metformin use has beneficial effects on cognitive or physical function in PWH. Clinical Trial Registration numbers: 02570672, 04221750, 00620191, and 03733132.

Plasma extracellular vesicles and cell-free mitochondrial DNA are associated with cognitive dysfunction in treated older adults with HIV

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles with a role in intercellular communication. Cell-free mitochondrial DNA (cf-mtDNA) has been associated with cognitive dysfunction in people with HIV (PWH). We conducted a nested case-control study to test the hypothesis that plasma EVs are associated with cf-mtDNA and cognitive dysfunction in older PWH. A machine learning-based model identified total EVs, including select EV subpopulations, as well as urine cf-mtDNA and 4-meter walk time carry power to predict the neurocognitive impairment. These features resulted in an AUC-ROC of 0.845 + / - 0.109 (0.615, 1.00).

Mediating effects of resilience on frailty and depression among older Chinese people living with HIV/AIDS: a cross-sectional study in Hunan

BACKGROUND

Little is known about the ambiguous and complex relationship between frailty, resilience and depression in older adults living with HIV (OALHIV). Thus, the current study aimed to further clarify the relationship, as well as to investigate whether resilience plays a mediating role and to quantify the mediating effect.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted on patients who were aged ≥50 y with HIV/AIDS at the First Hospital of Changsha City from June to August 2019. The sociodemographic characteristics of participants, depression, resilience and frailty were evaluated by the self-developed questionnaire, the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale, the 10-item Connor-Davidson Resilience Scale and Tilburg Frailty Indicator, respectively. SPSS macro model 4 was used to analyse the mediation of resilience between frailty and depression.

RESULTS

A total of 175 OALHIV (120 males and 55 females) were investigated in this study. The prevalence of frailty and depression was 31.4% and 30.9%, respectively. Additionally, the mediation analysis model showed that frailty could contribute to depression directly, and that it also affected depression through resilience, suggesting that resilience partially mediated the relationship between frailty and depression among OALHIV.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that resilience appears to be a protective factor for depression. Effective and targeted intervention on resilience is available and is crucial to improve the life quality of OALHIV.

Cardiometabolic Diseases and Quality-of-Life Outcomes in Adults With HIV in the Deep South: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACT

The role of cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs) on physical health-related quality of life (P-HRQoL) and quality of sleep was examined among 261 PLWH ≥40 years, recruited from a university-affiliated HIV clinic in the Deep U.S. South. Using a cross-sectional study design, participants completed the Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey (MOS-HIV; P-HRQoL) and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. The overall prevalence of self-reporting ≥1 CMD was 64.4%. P-HRQoL scores were lower in PLWH with ≥1 CMD compared with those with no CMDs (45.53 ± 11.54 vs. 49.67 ± 10.77, p <.01). Poor sleep quality was higher among participants with ≥1 CMD compared with those with no CMDs (9.28 ± 4.42 vs. 7.26 ± 4.17, p <.01). Each additional CMD resulted in a 1.83-point decrease in P-HRQoL and 0.74-point increase in poor sleep quality scores. Interventions that focus on targeting these quality-of-life domains in PLWH with CMDs are needed.

Prevalence and risk factors of frailty among adults living with HIV aged 70 years or older

OBJECTIVES AND DESIGN

Frailty is a phenotype associated with adverse health outcomes in older persons. It has been evaluated mainly in middle-aged persons with HIV (PWH). The French multicenter prospective ANRS EP66 SEPTAVIH study aimed to assess frailty prevalence and risk factors in PWH aged 70 years or older on antiretroviral treatment (ART) for at least 12 months.

METHODS

At baseline, Fried frailty phenotype criteria, sociodemographic data, medical/HIV history, functional status, comorbidities, including impaired cognitive function, depression, history of falls, and co-medications were collected. We measured the prevalence of frailty and compared the characteristics of frail versus prefrail and robust participants using univariate (Kruskal-Wallis tests for continuous variables and Chi 2 tests for categorical variables) and multivariate analyses.

RESULTS

Five hundred and ten PWH, mostly male (81.4%), were included with a median age of 73 years. The median HIV and ART durations were 22.7 years and 15.7 years, respectively. The prevalence of frailty was 13.5%, and of prefrailty 63.3%. In the multivariate analysis, increasing age [odds ratio (OR) 1.79 for each 5-year increment; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.32-2.41], deprived socioeconomic status (OR 3.17; 95% CI 1.76-5.70), and multimorbidities (three or more) (OR 2.03; 95% CI 1.06-3.90) were associated with frailty.

CONCLUSION

A low prevalence of frailty was reported (13.5%) in PWH aged 70 years or older, whereas two-thirds of them were prefrail. Age, low socioeconomic status, and multimorbidities, but no HIV-related factors, were associated with frailty, suggesting the need to target these factors to help promoting successful aging in this population.

Treatment and comorbidity burden among people living with HIV: a review of systematic literature reviews

Background

As the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment landscape continues to evolve, the prolonged life expectancy and long-term exposure to antiretroviral drugs have modified the burden associated with living with HIV.

Objective

To better understand the current treatment and comorbidity burden in people living with HIV (PLWH).

Methods

Peer-reviewed systematic literature reviews (SLRs) between 2017 and 2020 that included US studies and examined drug adherence/pill burden, resistance burden, or comorbidities in PLWH were identified. Methods and findings were extracted for the overall studies and examined in the subset of US studies.

Results

Among 665 publications identified, 47 met the inclusion criteria (drug adherence/pill burden: 5; resistance: 3; comorbidities: 40). While antiretroviral drug adherence levels varied across SLRs, single-tablet regimens (STR) were associated with higher adherence versus multiple-tablet regimens. STRs were also associated with lower risk of treatment discontinuation, higher cost-effectiveness, and lower risk of hospitalization. Longer survival resulted in a high comorbidity burden, with non-AIDS causes accounting for 47% of deaths among PLWH in the US. HIV doubled the risk of cardiovascular disease and was associated with other health problems, including bone and muscle diseases, depression, and cancers. Several antiretroviral regimens were associated with chronic diseases, including cardiometabolic conditions. Lifetime HIV costs are substantially increasing, driven by antiretroviral, adverse event, and comorbidity treatment costs cumulated due to longer survival times.

Conclusions

There is a considerable burden associated with HIV and antiretroviral treatment, highlighting the benefits of less complex and safer regimens, and the unmet need for effective preventative interventions.

Functional Impairment and Cognitive Symptoms Among People with HIV Infection on Chronic Opioid Therapy for Pain: The Impact of Gabapentin and Other Sedating Medications

Gabapentin is associated with dizziness, falls, and somnolence yet commonly prescribed to people with HIV (PWH) treated with chronic opioid therapy (COT). Physical function and cognition are understudied when prescribed together. Among PWH on COT, we evaluated whether co-prescribed gabapentin is associated with (a) functional impairment; (b) trouble thinking clearly; and (c) difficulty controlling drowsiness using logistic regression models adjusted for prescribed opioid dose, other (non-gabapentin) sedating medication, substance use disorder, and mental/physical health indicators in a cross-sectional study. Among 166 participants, 40% were prescribed gabapentin, 41% reported functional impairment, 41% trouble thinking clearly, and 38% difficulty controlling drowsiness. Gabapentin co-prescribed with COT was significantly associated with trouble thinking clearly but not with functional impairment or difficulty controlling drowsiness. Clinicians should be cognizant of potential problems with thinking clearly when co-prescribing gabapentin and opioid medication.

Association between frailty phenotype, quantification of plasma HIV-1 RNA, CD4 cell count and HAART in HIV-positive subjects: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

HIV infection causes a constant activation of the immune system and contributes to an enhanced systemic pro-inflammatory cytokine milieu, which has been associated with premature aging and frailty. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to analyze whether the HIV-1 RNA load, CD4+ T-lymphocyte counts and exposure to HAART in HIV-positive subjects are associated with frailty phenotype. Searches were performed in PubMed, SCOPUS, Lilacs, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and OpenThesis databases. We used the odds ratio as a measure of the association. We used either a fixed or random-effects model to pool the results of individual studies depending on the presence of heterogeneity. Eleven studies were included in the review. Data from 8035 HIV-positive subjects were analyzed; 2413 of the subjects had viral load detectable, 981 had a CD4T-cell count <350 cells/μL, and 1342 had HAART exposure information. We found an association between frailty and CD4T-cell count <350 cells/μL (OR 2.68, CI 95% 1.68-4.26, I²= 46%), HIV-1 RNA load detectable (OR 1.71, CI 95% 1.38-2.12, I²= 0%), and protease inhibitor-containing HAART regimen (OR 2.21, CI 95% 1.26-3.89, I² = 0%). Further studies are necessary to evaluate the effects of other factors on the development of clinical features related to frailty.

Diabetes mellitus is associated with declines in physical function among men with and without HIV

OBJECTIVE

To determine the longitudinal relationships between abnormal glucose metabolism and physical function in persons with HIV (PWH) and without HIV.

DESIGN

Prospective cohort study of men with or at risk for HIV in four United States cities between 2006 and 2018.

METHODS

Men with or at risk for HIV from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) had semi-annual assessments of glycemic status, grip strength, and gait speed. We used linear mixed models with random intercept to assess associations between glycemic status and physical function. Glycemic status was categorized as normal, impaired fasting glucose (IFG), controlled diabetes mellitus [hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) <7.5%], or uncontrolled diabetes mellitus (HbA1C ≥ 7.5%).

RESULTS

Of 2240 men, 52% were PWH. Diabetes mellitus was similar among PWH (7.7%) vs. persons without HIV (6.7%, P = 0.36) at baseline. PWH had slower gait speed (1.17 vs. 1.20 m/s, P < 0.01) but similar grip strength (40.1 vs. 39.8 kg, P = 0.76) compared with persons without HIV at baseline. In multivariate models, gait speed decline was greater with controlled diabetes mellitus [-0.018 m/s (-0.032 to -0.005), P = 0.01] and grip strength decline was greater with controlled [-0.560 kg (-1.096 to -0.024), P = 0.04] and uncontrolled diabetes mellitus [-0.937 kg (-1.684 to -0.190), P = 0.01), regardless of HIV serostatus compared with normoglycemic individuals.

DISCUSSION

Abnormal glucose metabolism was associated with declines in gait speed and grip strength regardless of HIV serostatus. These data suggest that improvement in glucose control should be investigated as an intervenable target to prevent progression of physical function limitations among PWH.

Predictors of Transition to Frailty in Middle-Aged and Older People With HIV: A Prospective Cohort Study

BACKGROUND

People with HIV (PWH) have increased frailty risk at younger ages compared with the general population. Multimorbidity is associated with frailty, yet effects of specific comorbidities on transition to frailty in PWH are unknown.

SETTING

Prospective study of 219 PWH age 45 years or older in the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium.

METHODS

Frailty status was categorized using Fried frailty phenotype criteria. Comorbidities [bone disease, cardiovascular disease, cerebrovascular disease, liver disease, renal disease, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), hypertension, obesity, cancers, neuropsychiatric conditions] were assessed from longitudinal data. Associations between baseline comorbidities and transition to frailty within 30 months were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression models. Grip strength was assessed using mixed-effects models.

RESULTS

At baseline, the median age was 61 years, 73% were male 98% were on antiretroviral therapy, 29% had ≥3 comorbidities, 27% were robust, and 73% were pre-frail. Cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, and COPD were independent predictors of transition to frailty within 30 months in models adjusted for age, sex, and multimorbidity (≥3 additional comorbidities) [hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) 2.52 (1.29 to 4.93), 2.31 (1.12 to 4.76), and 1.82 (0.95 to 3.48), respectively]. Furthermore, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, COPD, or liver disease co-occurring with multimorbidity was associated with substantially increased frailty hazards compared with multimorbidity alone (hazard ratios 4.75-7.46). Cerebrovascular disease was associated with decreased baseline grip strength (P = 0.0001), whereas multimorbidity, diabetes, and COPD were associated with declining grip strength (P < 0.10).

CONCLUSIONS

In older PWH, cerebrovascular disease, diabetes, COPD, or liver disease co-occurring with multimorbidity is associated with substantially increased risk of becoming frail within 30 months. Interventions targeting these comorbidities may ameliorate frailty and age-related functional decline in PWH.

Multimorbidity networks associated with frailty among middle-aged and older people with HIV

OBJECTIVE

People with HIV (PWH) have increased prevalence of multimorbidity and frailty at younger ages compared with the general population. This study investigated individual and combinatorial effects of neuropsychiatric and medical comorbidities as predictors of frailty in PWH.

DESIGN

Analysis of data from the National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium, a longitudinal observational cohort.

METHODS

Five hundred and twenty-four PWH over age 40 years were classified using Fried's Frailty criteria. Twelve comorbidities were documented from longitudinal data and associations between individual and co-occurring comorbidities with frailty were assessed using weighted network and logistic regression analyses.

RESULTS

At frailty assessment between 2015 and 2020, median age was 61 years, 76% were men, 94% were on antiretroviral therapy (ART), 73% had two or more comorbidities, 24% were frail, and 52% were prefrail. Among individual comorbidities, highest odds of frailty were in participants with depressive symptoms [adjusted odds ratio (aOR), 95% confidence interval (CI) 3.48 (2.22-5.46)], followed by bone disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) [2.47 (1.28-4.72) and 2.13 (1.36-3.34), respectively]. Among co-occurring comorbidities, highest odds of frailty were in participants having depressive symptoms with diabetes, hypertension, or obesity [aORs (95% CIs) 5.29 (2.32-12.08), 5.21 (2.65-10.40), 4.85 (2.39-9.95), respectively], cognitive impairment with diabetes or renal disease [2.81 (1.38-5.68) and 2.53 (1.26-5.03), respectively], renal disease with cardiovascular disease [2.81 (1.32-6.01)], and diabetes with obesity [2.76 (1.39-5.45)].

CONCLUSION

Co-occurrence of depressive symptoms, cognitive impairment, diabetes, or renal disease with other medical conditions substantially increases odds of frailty in older PWH. Identifying and treating these comorbidities may help to reduce functional decline with aging in PWH.

Higher Veterans Aging Cohort Study 2.0 Index Score Predicts Functional Decline Among Older Adults Living with HIV

Living with HIV has been proposed as a risk factor for the early development of functional decline. Composite marker tools like the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index, which includes HIV-associated and non-HIV-related markers of disease may better reflect multiorgan system injury and potentially predict functional outcomes. Therefore, the objective of this work is to determine whether higher VACS 2.0 Index scores predicts functional decline among older adults living with HIV (OALWH). Longitudinal study, including 131 adults ages 50 or older who underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment at baseline and follow-up, at least a year apart. Functional status was determined by the gait speed (seconds for a 4-m distance). Linear regression models were constructed to determine the relationship between VACS 2.0 Index at baseline with gait speed at follow-up adjusted for potential confounders. The median for age was 58.0 years (range 50-84), and 81.7% were male. At baseline, the median VACS 2.0 Index score was 50.4 (interquartile range 42.2-65.3). The adjusted linear regression analysis found that higher baseline VACS 2.0 Index scores were significantly associated with a decline in gait speed (p = .033) at follow-up. The results suggest that the VACS 2.0 Index works as a predictor of functional decline as showed by decline in gait speed and might serve as an easy tool to identify OALWH who might need additional resources or interventions to prevent it.

Frailty in the Context of Older People Living With HIV: A Concept Analysis

Despite advances in knowledge about older people living with HIV infection (PLWH), frailty remains a challenge to HIV care. Numerous studies have documented its impact; however, the concept remains unclear. Concept exploration of frailty in the context of older PLWH was conducted to provide a comprehensive understanding of the concept based on the Walker and Avant method. After the literature review, a concept analysis and a definition of frailty among older PLWH emerged. Implications for further practice, education, public policy, and research are presented to use the concept consistently, develop interventions to prevent frailty, and improve health outcomes.

Construct and Criterion-Related Validity of the Clinical Frailty Scale in Persons With HIV

BACKGROUND

The co-occurrence of frailty and cognitive impairment in older (50+ years) persons with HIV (PWH) is common and increases the risk of poor outcomes. In HIV clinics, the most commonly used frailty measures are the frailty phenotype (FP), which requires measuring grip strength and gait speed to implement, and the frailty index (FI) based on comprehensive health data collected on patients. We examined construct and criterion-related validity (as it predicts cognition) of the Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS), a less resource-intensive approach for assessing frailty, in relation to these more commonly used frailty assessments (FP and FI).

SETTING/METHODS

A total of 143 older (age 50+) PWH (mean age 57 years; 88% male) seen at the Southern Alberta Clinic underwent both frailty screening with the FP, CFS, and FI and neuropsychological testing. Mixed-effects regressions examined the associations between frailty status and cognition.

RESULTS

Concordance with the FP was slightly superior for the CFS than the FI. The FP and CFS had similar associations with domain-specific cognitive performance with frail PWH performing worse than nonfrail individuals on tests requiring manual dexterity (Trail Making Part A and B; Symbol Digit; and Grooved Pegboard; P values <0.05). Neither were associated with executive function, learning, or memory performance. The FI was associated with worse fluency, fine motor skills (Grooved Pegboard), and Trail Making Part A.

CONCLUSION

The CFS is a simple screening tool with good construct and criterion-related validity. It was associated with a similar pattern of cognitive deficits as the FP. If confirmed and the associations are extended to other clinically significant characteristics and outcomes, the CFS can be considered as an alternative to the FP and FI in assessing frailty in older PWH.

Incorporating Frailty Into the Pooled Cohort Equations to Predict Cardiovascular Disease Among Persons With HIV

BACKGROUND

The 2013 Pooled Cohort Equations (PCEs) have underestimated cardiovascular disease (CVD) events among persons with HIV (PWH). We evaluate whether the addition of frailty improves PCE's ability to estimate CVD risk among aging PWH.

SETTING

Multicenter study.

METHODS

We assessed baseline frailty and 5-year atherosclerotic CVD risk using PCEs for participants in the AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5322 observational study. The primary outcome was incident CVD. We fit Cox proportional hazards regression models for incident CVD with (1) PCEs alone and (2) PCEs and frailty together (which included separate models for frailty score, frailty status, slow gait speed, and weak grip strength). We evaluated discrimination ability for the models with and without frailty by comparing their areas under receiver operating characteristic curve (AUCs) and Uno C-statistics, as well as by calculating the net reclassification improvement and integrated discrimination improvement.

RESULTS

The analysis included 944 A5322 participants (759 men, 185 women, median age 50 years, 47% White non-Hispanic). Thirty-nine participants experienced incident CVD during the study period. PCEs predicted 5-year CVD risk in all models. With frailty score, frailty status, slow gait speed, or weak grip strength added, the AUC and C-statistics were relatively unchanged, and the NRI and integrated discrimination improvement indicated little improvement in model discrimination. However, frailty score independently predicted CVD risk [frailty score: hazard ratio = 1.30, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.00 to 1.70, P = 0.05].

CONCLUSIONS

Frailty did not improve the predictive ability of PCEs. Baseline PCEs and frailty score independently predicted CVD. Incorporation of frailty assessment into clinical practice may provide corroborative and independent CVD risk estimation.

Senotherapeutics for HIV and aging

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To summarize the state of chronic, treated HIV infection and its contribution to accelerated aging, and to evaluate recent research relevant to the study and treatment of aging and senescence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Chronic treated HIV-1 infection is associated with significant risk of end-organ impairment, non-AIDS-associated malignancies, and accelerated physiologic aging. Coupled with the chronologic aging of the HIV-1-positive population, the development of therapies that target these processes is of great clinical importance. Age-related diseases are partly the result of cellular senescence. Both immune and nonimmune cell subsets are thought to mediate this senescent phenotype, a state of stable cell cycle arrest characterized by sustained release of pro-inflammatory mediators. Recent research in the field of aging has identified a number of 'senotherapeutics' to combat aging-related diseases, pharmacologic agents that act either by selectively promoting the death of senescent cells ('senolytics') or modifying senescent phenotype ('senomorphics').

SUMMARY

Senescence is a hallmark of aging-related diseases that is characterized by stable cell cycle arrest and chronic inflammation. Chronic HIV-1 infection predisposes patients to aging-related illnesses and is similarly marked by a senescence-like phenotype. A better understanding of the role of HIV-1 in aging will inform the development of therapeutics aimed at eliminating senescent cells that drive accelerated physiologic aging.

Living With Chronic HIV Disease in the Antiretroviral Era: The Impact of Neurocognitive Impairment on Everyday Life Functions

Although there is extensive literature around the biologic correlations of neurocognitive function in HIV/AIDS, less is known about the impact in everyday living. We conducted a systematic review of the association of neurocognitive impairment with everyday life functions in people with HIV on antiretroviral therapy. We specifically focused on attention, executive function, processing speed, and the central executive component of the working memory. We considered 3 domains of everyday functions: (1) autonomy, (2) decision making and adherence to treatment, and (3) quality of life and psychologic wellbeing. The relationship between neurocognitive impairment and mental health was examined, given its correlation with everyday life functions. Results indicate that people with HIV do experience problems with autonomy of daily living (especially if aged older than 50 years) and with decision making, and neurocognitive impairment plays a role in this regard. Psychologic wellbeing is associated with executive function and processing speed. These patients may also have a reduced quality of life, but the relationship between quality of life and cognition is uncertain or could be mediated by other factors. Neurocognitive impairment correlates with depression and anxiety; however, the relationship of cognitive performance with apathy is still controversial.

High Frequency of Recurrent Falls Among Prefrail and Frail Women With and Without HIV

BACKGROUND

Frailty may occur at younger ages among HIV+ populations. We evaluated associations of the frailty status with self-reported single and recurrent falls in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS).

METHODS

The frailty status was defined using the Fried Frailty Phenotype (FFP) among 897 HIV+ and 392 HIV- women; median age 53 years. Women were classified as robust (FFP 0), prefrail (FFP 1-2), and frail (FFP 3-5). Stepwise logistic regression models adjusting for the HIV status and study site were fit to evaluate associations of the FFP with self-reported single (1 vs. 0) and recurrent falls (≥2 vs. 0) over the prior 12 months.

RESULTS

HIV+ women were less likely to be frail (9% vs. 14% vs. P = 0.009), but frequency of falls did not differ by the HIV status. In multivariate analyses, recurrent falls were more common among prefrail [adjusted odds ratio (AOR) 2.23, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.40 to 3.57, P = 0.0008] and frail (AOR 3.61, 95% CI: 1.90 to 6.89, P < 0.0001) than robust women. Among HIV+ women, single (AOR 2.88, 95% CI: 1.16 to 7.20, P = 0.023) and recurrent falls (AOR 3.50, 95% CI: 1.24 to 9.88, P = 0.018) were more common among those who were frail; recurrent, but not single falls, were more common among prefrail than robust HIV+ women (AOR 2.00, 95% CI: 1.03 to 3.91, P = 0.042).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV+ women were less likely to be frail. Compared with robust women, prefrail and frail women with and without HIV were more likely to experience single or recurrent falls within a 12-month period. Additional studies are needed to develop interventions that decrease development of frailty and reduce risk of recurrent falls among HIV+ women.

Frailty and HIV: Moving from Characterization to Intervention

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

While the characteristics associated with frailty in people with HIV (PWH) have been well described, little is known regarding interventions to slow or reverse frailty. Here we review interventions to prevent or treat frailty in the general population and in people with HIV (PWH).

RECENT FINDINGS

Frailty interventions have primarily relied on nonpharmacologic interventions (e.g., exercise and nutrition). Although few have addressed frailty, many of these therapies have shown benefit on components of frailty including gait speed, strength, and low activity among PWH. When nonpharmacologic interventions are insufficient, pharmacologic interventions may be necessary. Many interventions have been tested in preclinical models, but few have been tested or shown benefit among older adults with or without HIV. Ultimately, pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic interventions have the potential to improve vulnerability that underlies frailty in PWH, though clinical data is currently sparse.

Clinical consequences of asymptomatic cytomegalovirus in treated human immunodeficency virus infection

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Despite antiretroviral therapy (ART)-mediated viral suppression, people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWH) have increased morbidity and mortality. Immune activation and inflammation persist on ART and predict these complications. Over 90% of PWH have cytomegalovirus (CMV) co-infection, and CMV is considered a plausible contributor to this persistent immune activation.

RECENT FINDINGS

A detailed understanding of the link between CMV and multimorbidity is needed, particularly as research moves toward identifying potential targeted therapeutics to attenuate inflammation-mediated morbidity and mortality in treated HIV. We review the literature on the association between CMV and immune activation as well as multiple end-organ complications including cardiovascular disease, venous thromboembolic disease, metabolic complications, gastrointestinal dysfunction, central nervous system involvement, birth sex-related differences, and the relation to the HIV reservoir. We conclude with a discussion of ongoing therapeutic efforts to target CMV.

SUMMARY

As CMV is a plausible driver of multiple comorbidities through persistent immune activation in treated HIV, future research is needed and planned to address its causal role as well as to test novel therapeutics in this setting.

Frequency of Falls and Associated Risk Factors in People Living With HIV: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis and Meta-Regression

BACKGROUND

Falls are considered as a predictive marker of poorer outcomes for people living with HIV (PLWHIV). However, the available evidences on the predictive value of falls are controversial. Our aim is to summarize the existing data about falls in PLWHIV.

METHODS

A literature search was conducted using electronic databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and LILACS) for original observational studies. The primary outcome was any and recurrent falls' frequency in PLWHIV, and secondary outcomes were factors associated with falls. We conducted a random-effects meta-analysis with meta-regression to obtain a summary frequency of falls and recurrent falls.

RESULTS

The pooled frequency for any fall was 26% [95% confidence interval (CI): 19% to 34%], compared with 14% for recurrent falls (95% CI: 9% to 22%). In studies comparing PLWHIV and people without HIV, we found no difference for any (pooled odds ratio 1.03, 95% CI: 0.90 to 1.17) or recurrent falls (pooled odds ratio 1.08, 95% CI: 0.92 to 1.27) between groups, but falls in middle-aged PLWHIV might be more associated with subjacent clinical conditions such as cognitive impairment, polypharmacy, use of medications with action in the central nervous system, and frailty, classic risk factors for falls in the elderly.

CONCLUSIONS

The overall frequency of falls in PLWHIV seems to be lower than that presented by some initial studies, and several factors associated with falls are shared with elderly adults. Although both PLWHIV and people without HIV presented similar frequency of falls, we found that these events might be qualitatively different; therefore, an appropriate method to evaluate falls in this population to prevent adverse outcomes is warranted.

Physical Function and Frailty Tools in Mortality Prediction of Middle-Aged Adults With HIV

BACKGROUND

Frailty and physical function impairments occur at an earlier than expected age in people with HIV (PWH). The goal of this study was to determine which tools or combination of tools assessing frailty/physical function were most predictive of mortality in a middle-aged population of PWH.

METHODS

Using electronic health records, we determined survival, death, or loss to follow-up for 359 PWH, aged 45-65 years originally enrolled in a 2009-2010 cross-sectional cohort study. The predictive accuracy of various physical function measures [frailty score, Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index, 400-m walk, Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB), grip strength, and falls] were compared using integrated time-dependent receiver operating characteristic area under the curve (AUC) in single variable models. Two-variable models were compared with the best single-variable model to determine if AUC improved with additional physical function variables.

RESULTS

At 8-year follow-up, frailty, 400-m walk pace, SPPB, chair rise pace, VACS score, and falls were associated with increased hazard of mortality; grip strength was only predictive in sex-adjusted models. The VACS index and 400-m walk pace were the best individual predictors of mortality with time-dependent receiver operating characteristic AUC scores of 0.82, followed by SPPB (0.73), chair-rise pace (0.68), falls (0.65), frailty (0.63), and grip strength (0.55). Addition of the 400-m walk to VACS index yielded the only significant improvement in the prediction of survival compared with the VACS index alone (P = 0.04).

CONCLUSION

Our study highlights several clinically applicable physical function measures predictive of mortality in middle-aged PWH that can be tailored to specific patient subpopulations and clinical or research encounters.

Baseline Neurocognitive Impairment (NCI) Is Associated With Incident Frailty but Baseline Frailty Does Not Predict Incident NCI in Older Persons With Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

BACKGROUND

Neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and frailty are more prevalent among persons with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV, PWH) compared to those without HIV. Frailty and NCI often overlap with one another. Whether frailty precedes declines in neurocognitive function among PWH or vice versa has not been well established.

METHODS

AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 is an observational cohort study of older PWH. Participants undergo annual assessments for NCI and frailty. ACTG A5322 participants who developed NCI as indexed by tests of impaired executive functioning and processing speed during the first 3 years were compared to persons who maintained normal cognitive function; those who demonstrated resolution of NCI were compared to those who had persistent NCI. Participants were similarly compared by frailty trajectory. We fit multinomial logistic regression models to assess associations between baseline covariates (including NCI) and frailty, and associations between baseline covariates (including frailty) and NCI.

RESULTS

In total, 929 participants were included with a median age of 51 years (interquartile range [IQR] 46-56). At study entry, 16% had NCI, and 6% were frail. Over 3 years, 6% of participants developed NCI; 5% developed frailty. NCI was associated with development of frailty (odds ratio [OR] = 2.06; 95% confidence interval [CI] = .94, 4.48; P = .07). Further adjustment for confounding strengthened this association (OR = 2.79; 95% CI = 1.21, 6.43; P = .02). Baseline frailty however was not associated with NCI development.

CONCLUSIONS

NCI was associated with increased risk of frailty, but frailty was not associated with development of NCI. These findings suggest that the presence of NCI in PWH should prompt monitoring for the development of frailty and interventions to prevent frailty in this population.

Web-Based Data Collection for Older Adults Living With HIV in a Clinical Research Setting: Pilot Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Longitudinal follow-up of older persons living with HIV is essential for the ascertainment of aging-related clinical and behavioral outcomes, and self-administered questionnaires are necessary for collecting behavioral information in research involving persons living with HIV. Web-based self-reported data collection results in higher data quality than paper-and-pencil questionnaires in a wide range of populations. The option of remote web-based surveys may also increase retention in long-term research studies. However, the acceptability and feasibility of web-based data collection in clinical research involving older persons living with HIV have never been studied.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to assess the acceptability and feasibility of a web-based survey to collect information on sexual, substance use, and physical activity behaviors; compare the data quality of the web-based survey with that of a paper-and-pencil questionnaire; and summarize web-based survey metrics.

METHODS

This pilot study took place within the AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5322 study, a longitudinal cohort of men and women living with HIV (aged ≥40 years), followed at 32 clinical sites in the United States and Puerto Rico. A total of 4 sites participated in this study. A web-based survey was created using self-administered questionnaires typically completed in A5322 via paper and pencil. Pilot study participants completed these questionnaires via web-based survey at one research visit in lieu of paper-and-pencil administration. Two questions were added to assess feasibility, defined as participants' perception of the ease of web-based survey completion (very hard, hard, easy, very easy), and their preferred format (computer or tablet, paper and pencil, no preference) for completing the questions in the future (acceptability). Feasibility and acceptability were summarized overall and by demographic and clinical characteristics; the proportion of evaluable data by web-based survey versus previously administered paper-and-pencil questionnaires (data quality) was compared for each question.

RESULTS

Acceptability and feasibility were high overall: 50.0% (79/158) preferred computer or tablet, 38.0% (60/158) reported no preference, and 12.0% (19/158) preferred paper and pencil; 93.0% (147/158) reported survey completion easy or very easy. Older age was associated with lower odds of preferring computer or tablet to paper and pencil (odds ratio per 1-year increase in age: 0.91, 95% CI 0.85-0.98). Individuals who found the survey hard or very hard had a lower median neurocognitive test score than those who found it easy or very easy. Data quality with web-based survey administration was similar to or higher than that with paper-and-pencil administration for most questions.

CONCLUSIONS

Web-based survey administration was acceptable and feasible in this cohort of older adults living with HIV, and data quality was high. Web-based surveys can be a useful tool for valid data collection and can potentially improve retention in long-term follow-up studies.

Frailty in People Living with HIV

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Different factors contribute to the decreased overall long-term survival in treated people living with HIV (PLWH). This paper will review the state of physical frailty which limits successful aging in PLWH.

RECENT FINDINGS

Identifiable events on the continuum from clinical normality to heightened risk of adverse health outcomes contribute to frailty. These center on chronic inflammation leading to destabilization of autoregulated physiologic systems challenged by environmental and biologic challenges. Frailty assessment can inform the profile of aging PLWH at increased risk of common age-related disorders and geriatric syndromes. Biologic and psychosocial risk factors promoting progression to and reversion from a dynamic state of frailty are being investigated, allowing for preventative interventions to be considered. Insights gained from studying frail PLWH will help adapt an interdisciplinary geriatric model of health care for selected PLWH. This will improve the health and well-being of aging PLWH.

Senotherapeutics and HIV-1 Persistence

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To review the potential use of senotherapeutics, pharmacologic agents that target senescent cells, in addressing HIV-1 persistence.

RECENT FINDINGS

Treated HIV-1 infection results in a state of immune exhaustion, which may involve reprogramming of infected and bystander cells toward a state of cellular senescence. Aging research has recently uncovered pathways that make senescent cells uniquely susceptible to pharmacologic intervention. Specific compounds, known as senotherapeutics, have been identified that interrupt pathways senescent cells depend on for survival. Several of these pathways are important in modulating the cellular microenvironment in chronically and latently infected cells. Strategies targeting these pathways may prove useful in combating both HIV-1 persistence and HIV-1-associated immune exhaustion. Senotherapeutics have recently been described as potential therapeutics for aging-associated diseases driven by senescent cells. Recently, correlations have emerged between HIV-1 infection, senescence, lifelong chronic infection, and viral persistence. New insights and therapies targeting cellular senescence may offer a novel strategy to address both HIV-1 persistence and immune exhaustion induced by chronic viral infection.

The gut microbiome and frailty

The human microbiome is constituted by an extensive network of organisms that lie at the host/environment interface and transduce signals that play vital roles in human health and disease across the lifespan. Frailty is a critical aging-related syndrome marked by diminished physiological reserve and heightened vulnerability to stress, predictive of major adverse clinical outcomes including death. While recent studies suggest the microbiome may impact key pathways critical to frailty pathophysiology, direct evaluation of the microbiome-frailty relationship remains limited. In this article, we review the complex interplay of biological, behavioral, and environmental factors that may influence shifts in gut microbiome composition and function in aging populations and the putative implications of such shifts for progression to frailty. We discuss HIV infection as a key prototype for elucidating the complex pathways via which the microbiome may precipitate frailty. Finally, we review considerations for future research efforts.

Application of Selected Muscle Strength and Body Mass Cut Points for the Diagnosis of Sarcopenia in Men and Women With or at Risk for HIV Infection

BACKGROUND

Persons with HIV may experience greater mobility limitations than uninfected populations. Accurate tools are needed to identify persons at greatest risk of decline. We evaluated the performance of novel muscle weakness metrics (grip, grip/body mass index [BMI], grip/weight, grip/total body fat, grip/arm lean mass) and association with slowness and falls in older persons with or at risk for HIV infection as part of the work of the Sarcopenia Definitions and Outcomes Consortium (SDOC).

METHODS

We assessed the prevalence of sarcopenia among 398 men (200 HIV+, 198 HIV-) from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study and 247 women (162 HIV+, 85 HIV-) from the Women's Interagency HIV Study using previously validated muscle weakness metrics discriminative of slowness. Sensitivity and specificity were used to compare new muscle weakness and slowness criteria to previously proposed sarcopenia definitions.

RESULTS

The prevalence of muscle weakness ranged from 16% to 66% among men and 0% to 47% among women. Grip/BMI was associated with slowness among men with HIV only. Grip/BMI had low sensitivity (25%-30%) with moderate to high specificity (68%-89%) for discriminating of slowness; all proposed metrics had poor performance in the discrimination of slowness (area under the curve [AUC] < 0.62) or fall status (AUC < 0.56). The combination of muscle weakness and slowness was not significantly associated with falls (p ≥ .36), with a low sensitivity in identifying those sustaining one or more falls (sensitivity ≤ 16%).

DISCUSSION

Clinical utility of new sarcopenia metrics for identification of slowness or falls in men and women with or at risk for HIV is limited, given their low sensitivity.

Frailty and Neurocognitive Impairment: Impacts on Quality of Life in HIV

Little is known about the effects of aging-related conditions on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among people living with HIV (PLWH). The purpose of our study was to examine the independent effects of neurocognitive impairment (NCI) and frailty and the interactive effects with HIV serostatus on HRQOL. Our sample consisted of 121 adults (63 PLWH and 58 HIV-uninfected) participating in the Multi-Dimensional Successful Aging among HIV-Infected Adults study at the University of California, San Diego. HRQOL was measured with the Medical Outcome Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scale. We found that frailty was significantly associated with HRQOL (p < .001) in the overall sample, and this effect was significantly stronger for PLWH than HIV-uninfected adults. NCI was not significantly associated with HRQOL in our sample. Frailty may be a particularly important factor in HRQOL for PLWH, highlighting the need for prevention and intervention strategies to mitigate the risks for frailty.

Mitochondrial DNA Haplogroups and Frailty in Adults Living with HIV

Mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) haplogroup has been associated with disease risk and longevity. Among persons with HIV (PWH), mtDNA haplogroup has been associated with AIDS progression, neuropathy, cognitive impairment, and gait speed decline. We sought to determine whether haplogroup is associated with frailty and its components among older PWH. A cross-sectional analysis was performed of AIDS Clinical Trials Group A5322 (HAILO) participants with available genome-wide genotype and frailty assessments. Multivariable logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender, education, smoking, hepatitis C, and prior use of didanosine/stavudine. Among 634 participants, 81% were male, 49% non-Hispanic white, 31% non-Hispanic black, and 20% Hispanic. Mean age was 51.0 (standard deviation 7.5) years and median nadir CD4 count was 212 (interquartile range 72, 324) cells/μL; 6% were frail, 7% had slow gait, and 21% weak grip. H haplogroup participants were more likely to be frail/prefrail (p = .064), have slow gait (p = .09), or weak grip (p = .017) compared with non-H haplogroup participants (not all comparisons reached statistical significance). In adjusted analyses, PWH with haplogroup H had a greater odds of being frail versus nonfrail [odds ratio (OR) 4.0 (95% confidence interval 1.0-15.4)] and having weak grip [OR 2.1 (1.1, 4.1)], but not slow gait [OR 1.6 (0.5, 5.0)] compared with non-H haplogroup. Among black and Hispanic participants, haplogroup was not significantly associated with frailty, grip, or gait. Among antiretroviral therapy (ART)-treated PWH, mtDNA haplogroup H was independently associated with weak grip and frailty. This association could represent a mechanism of weakness and frailty in the setting of HIV and ART.

Retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4), a potential biomarker of frailty in HIV-infected people on stable antiretroviral therapy

OBJECTIVES

A quantitative biomarker for identification of pre-frail and frail persons is still lacking. This study aimed to identify biomarker predictors of frailty in HIV-infected patients.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of HIV-infected patients who had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least 1 year and who presented an undetectable viral load (< 50 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL) at baseline was carried out. For each frail patient, up to four pre-frail and robust patients were randomly selected. The frailty status assessment was based on the five-item criteria described by Fried et al. Sociodemographic, anthropometric, biochemical and HIV-related characteristics were evaluated. Multiple potential biomarkers of frailty and a biological age biomarker were analysed.

RESULTS

A total of 73 HIV-infected patients on ART for at least 1 year were evaluated. The patients were categorized as robust (n = 33), pre-frail (n = 32) and frail (n = 8) using the Fried criteria. All patients were on ART, with 100% undetectable viral load (< 50 copies/mL) at baseline. No significant differences in demographic, clinical or analytical characteristics were observed among patients in the different categories based on Fried criteria, with the exception of the veterans aging cohort study index (VACS). Similarly, no differences were observed in HIV-related characteristics, although nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) use was less common in frail persons. The distribution of biomarker values varied according to frailty status, with frail persons having higher levels of interleukin (IL)-8, IL-18, CXC chemokine ligand 10 (CXCL10) and retinol-binding protein 4 (RBP4). In multivariable analysis, the assocation of frailty with RBP4 showed a tendency to statistical significance (odds ratio 1.0; 95% confidence interval 0.99-1.00; P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Differential biomarker expression was present according to Fried status. Longitudinal studies will clarify the utility of these biomarkers as targets for diagnostic or therapeutic intervention.

Gait Speed Decline Is Associated with Hemoglobin A1C, Neurocognitive Impairment, and Black Race in Persons with HIV

Gait speed declines at a faster rate in persons with HIV (PWH) than in the general population but the risk factors associated with this decline are not well understood. In the AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG) A5322 (HAILO, HIV Infection, Aging, and Immune Function Long-term Observational Study), an observational cohort study of PWH ≥40 years of age, those who developed slow gait during the first 3 years of follow-up were compared with persons who maintained normal speed. Associations with demographic and clinical covariates were assessed using multivariable logistic regression. Of 929 participants, 81% were men, 31% Black, and 20% Hispanic. Median age was 51 years [interquartile range (IQR) = 46-56]. At study entry, 92% had plasma HIV RNA <50 copies/mL with median CD4 count 631 cells/mm³ (IQR = 458-840). At study entry, 7% of participants had slow gait, 16% had neurocognitive impairment (NCI), and 12% had diabetes. Over 3 years, 87% maintained normal gait speed, 3% maintained a slow gait, 6% developed a slow gait, and 4% improved from slow to normal gait speed. In multivariable models, hemoglobin A1C (HbA1C) percentage, per one unit increase [odds ratio (OR) = 1.36; 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.03-1.81; p = .033], NCI (OR = 3.47; 95% CI = 1.57-7.69 p = .002), and black versus white race (OR = 2.45; 95% CI = 1.08-5.59; p = .032) at entry were significantly associated with development of slow gait compared with those maintaining normal gait speed. The association between baseline HbA1C and development of slow gait speed highlights an intervenable target to prevent progression of physical function limitations.

Frailty Is an Independent Risk Factor for Mortality, Cardiovascular Disease, Bone Disease, and Diabetes Among Aging Adults With Human Immunodeficiency Virus

BACKGROUND

We characterized associations between frailty and incident cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus (DM), bone disease, and mortality within a cohort of aging persons with human immunodeficiency virus (PWH).

METHODS

Participants underwent frailty evaluations using the Fried frailty assessment (baseline and annually). Frailty was defined as having ≥3 frailty criteria. Clinical outcomes of mortality, CVD events, DM, and bone disease events were recorded throughout the study period (baseline to most recent study or clinic visit, or date of clinical outcome, whichever came first). Poisson regression models were used to evaluate associations between baseline frailty, change in frailty score over 48 weeks, and each clinical outcome.

RESULTS

Among 821 men and 195 women (median age 51 years), 62 (6%) were frail at baseline. Frailty scores increased by ≥1 component among 194 participants (19%) from baseline to 48 weeks. Baseline frailty was associated with an increased risk of incident CVD and DM, with a trend toward a significant association with bone events. Among frailty components, slow gait speed was associated with incident DM and borderline associated with incident CVD. An increase in frailty from baseline to week 48 was associated with mortality but not with the other clinical outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

Baseline frailty was associated with multiple adverse health outcomes (incident CVD, DM, and bone disease), while increase in frailty score was associated with mortality among PWH engaged in care. Incorporation of frailty assessments into the care of PWH may assist in improvement of functional status and risk stratification for age-related chronic diseases.

Epigenomic mechanisms of alcohol-induced impaired differentiation of skeletal muscle stem cells; role of Class IIA histone deacetylases

Loss of functional metabolic muscle mass remains a strong and consistent predictor of mortality among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH). PLWH have a higher incidence of alcohol use disorder (AUD), and myopathy is a significant clinical comorbidity due to AUD. One mechanism of skeletal muscle (SKM) mass maintenance and repair is by differentiation and fusion of satellite cells (SCs) to existing myofibers. Previous studies demonstrated that chronic binge alcohol (CBA) administration decreases SC differentiation potential, myogenic gene expression, and miR-206 expression in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected male rhesus macaques and that miR-206 targets the Class IIA histone deacetylase, HDAC4. The aim of this study was to determine whether alcohol-induced increases in Class IIA HDACs mediate the observed decrease in differentiation potential of SCs. Data show that CBA dysregulated HDAC gene expression in SKM and myoblasts of SIV-infected macaques. CBA and antiretroviral therapy increased HDAC activity in SKM and this was positively correlated with HDAC4 gene expression. In vitro ethanol (ETOH) treatment increased HDAC expression during differentiation and decreased differentiation potential of myoblasts. HDAC expression was negatively correlated with fusion index and myotube formation, indicators of differentiation potential. Treatment with a Class II HDAC inhibitor, TMP195, restored differentiation in ETOH-treated myoblasts. MEF2C expression at day 3 of differentiation was positively correlated with fusion index and myotube formation. These findings suggest that an alcohol-mediated increase in Class IIA HDAC expression contributes to decreased myoblast differentiation by downregulating MEF2C, a transcription factor critical for myogenesis.

Frailty in medically complex individuals with chronic HIV

OBJECTIVES

Multimorbidity and frailty are consequences of aging with HIV, yet not everyone with medical disease is frail. Our objective was to identify factors associated with frailty in a multimorbid HIV-infected cohort.

DESIGN

Analysis of a prospective, observational, longitudinal cohort.

METHODS

Three hundred and thirty-two participants in the medically advanced National NeuroAIDS Tissue Consortium (NNTC) study were categorized as frail, prefrail, or robust with the Fried Frailty Index. A series of logistic regression analyses (first univariate, then multivariable) were conducted to determine whether medical comorbidities, immunologic and virologic parameters, and/or neuropsychiatric variables predicted increased odds of frailty.

RESULTS

The mean number of medical comorbidities per participant was 2.7, mean CD4 T-cell count was 530 cells/μl, and 77% had undetectable HIV RNA in blood. Twenty-two percent were frail, 55% prefrail, and 23% robust. Significant predictors of frailty in multivariable analysis were cognitive diagnosis rendered by Frascati criteria, depressive symptoms, diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and sex. Men were less likely to be frail than women. Higher odds of frailty were seen with: symptomatic, but not asymptomatic, cognitive impairment (compared with cognitive normals); more depressive symptoms; diabetes mellitus; and COPD.

CONCLUSION

Neuropsychiatric illness increased odds of being frail on a predominantly physical/motoric measure, but only when symptomatic. Lack of association with asymptomatic impairment may reflect the importance of functional limitation to frailty, or possibly a unique resilience phenotype. Understanding why sex and symptomatic neuropsychiatric illness are associated with frailty will be important in managing HIV-associated morbidity in aging populations.

Frailty: a new vulnerability indicator in people aging with HIV

PURPOSE

To review the concept of frailty and its measurement, describe the existing data on frailty in people living with HIV, examine the limits of frailty as a marker of vulnerability in people living with HIV, and explore how frailty measurement could be incorporated into HIV care.

METHODS

Narrative literature review.

RESULTS

Frailty is an emerging marker of vulnerability that is increasingly being assessed among people aging with HIV. Which frailty measurement tool is best for people with HIV has not yet been established, and likely depends on clinical context. Evaluation of vulnerability should take into account social and structural factors. Frailty assessment can be incorporated into clinical care as a part of comprehensive geriatric assessment. Models of HIV-geriatric care are being established.

CONCLUSIONS

As a group, people with HIV are aging and increasingly face multiple interacting age-related medical and social problems. It requires remarkable resilience to age successfully with HIV. The clinical care of people aging with HIV could benefit from a focus on frailty and related social vulnerability to better understand patients' needs and develop appropriate goals and care plans.

Frailty among HIV-1 Infected Adults under Antiretroviral Therapy in Indonesia

BACKGROUND

Increasing age of HIV-1 infected population brought about the risk of frailty as comorbidity, whose prevalence is higher in low and middle-income countries (LMICs). Indonesia as an LMIC also bears a major burden of HIV-1 epidemic with a similarly aging population, but the prevalence of frailty and its predictors are unknown.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the prevalence of frailty and analyze its associated factors, among HIV-1 infected adults under antiretroviral therapy in Indonesia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-infected individuals with inclusion criteria of age ≥30 years old and underwent ART for at least 6 months. The main assessment was done using Fried's frailty phenotype score, which categorizes subjects into non-frail, pre-frail, or frail. Factors associated with frailty were characterized and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed.

RESULTS

A total of 164 subjects were recruited; male subjects were 118 (72%), the median age was 40.5 years old, and the median CD4 nadir was 53 cells/μl. Frailty was identified among 90 (54.9%) subjects with 84 (51.2%) identified as pre-frail and 6 (3.7%) as frail, with dominant frailty phenotype was weakness in grip strength. The multivariate model showed that depression was the only factor significantly correlated with pre-frailty and frailty (OR 2.14; 95% CI 1.04-4.43, p=0.036).

CONCLUSION

Frailty is a common occurrence among HIV-infected patients under ART, with depression as an independent predictive factor.