Aging

During the period of 2004 to 2015 54,102 new HIV diagnoses in older adults (50 years and older) were tabulated from 31 European countries. A larger younger group (15-59 years) was collected for comparison.

Cytokines are important players in the homeostasis of the immune system in those infected with HIV. A study of 50 newly-infected HIV patients and 50 controls was completed with a 12-month follow-up.

Because older persons living with HIV are experiencing both age-associated and HIV-related problems, new care models to address this combined burden are necessary.

As adults with HIV live longer they experience body changes and conditions often seen in older persons.

People with HIV are at an increased risk for both AIDS-defining and non-defining cancers. These can occur also after an initial cancer diagnosis as either first or second primary cancers.

A possible mechanism related to neurocognitive impairment (NCI) was investigated in 52 people with HIV receiving stable antiretroviral therapy and a matched comparison group of 31 HIV-uninfected controls.

Because of the increase in life expectancy in older adults with HIV, the frequency of polypharmacy and drug-drug interaction is increasing. Among 242 50-year-old patients on antiretroviral treatment 148 (61%) were receiving other medications.

AIDS-related causes of death have decreased with better HIV treatment, and non-AIDS related causes of death have increased. A study of 5285 Italians aged 15-74 years with diagnosed AIDS was conducted from 2006-2011.

Persons 50 years and older tend to have late HIV diagnoses, which complicates management and also serve as a source for HIV transmission. The factors that lead to this situation are not clear.

There is a concern among older adults with HIV about cognitive impairment and related changes in the brain.