In a cohort of 2,308 persons, mean age 60, hospitalized for heart failure, there were 374 with HIV. On follow-up for short-term readmission and longer-term cardiovascular mortality, the adults with HIV had significantly higher readmissions as well as greater cardiovascular and all-cause mortality rates compared to the HIV-negative group.
HIV is associated with an increased risk of stroke from both the effect of the virus and known risk factors. It appears that traditional risk factors, such as hypertension and smoking, may be even more elevated as risk factors.
Smoking cessation and blood pressure control are recommended for prevention and use of statins is suggested, pending the result of an ongoing clinical trial. Cardiovascular disease is a major comorbidity in older adults with HIV and demands attention.
A sample of 100 African-American women living with HIV in Chicago and Birmingham in the period 2013-2015 was recruited for participation in a stigma-reduction intervention. The primary goal of the study was to investigate the relationship between HIV-related stigma and viral suppression. A secondary goal was to determine if depression and nonadherence might play an intermediary role between stigma and viral suppression.
An important issue is how depression and substance use interact with the control of the HIV treatment continuum. A group of 14,380 persons with HIV were studied to determine how depressive symptoms along with alcohol and other substance use affect the continuum of care in these patients. Standard statistical procedures were used in the analysis. In those with no or mild depressive symptoms, heavy alcohol had no association with viral suppression; but, among those with moderate or severe symptoms heavy alcohol use did have a negative effect on viral load.
It is not known how sleep disturbance might contribute to risk of depression in adults with HIV. The investigators addressed this question by using data from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS), which is a longitudinal study following men who have sex with men (MSM), some with HIV and others without HIV. Information on self reported sleep problems for greater than two weeks and increased depression symptoms using the CES-D screening tool provided baseline and data every 6 months over 12 years of follow-up.
Purpose of this Program: The AAHIVM, ACRIA and AGS (collectively, the “Sponsors,” “we” or “us”) are sponsors of this Website and through it seek to address the unique needs and challenges that older adults of diverse populations living with HIV face as they age. However, the information in this Website is not meant to supplant the advice provided in a doctor-patient relationship.
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