Aging, neurocognitive impairment and adherence to antiretroviral therapy in human immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals

• Published in: The Brazilian journal of infectious diseases Vol. 20; no. 6; pp. 599 - 604
• Main Authors: Pinheiro, Cezar Arthur Tavares, Mattos Souza, Luciano Dias de, Motta, Janaína Vieira dos Santos, Kelbert, Evelin Franco, Martins, Clarissa de Souza Ribeiro, Souza, Marília Silva de, Pinheiro, Karen Amaral Tavares, Coelho, Fábio Monteiro da Cunha, Pinheiro, Ricardo Tavares
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Elsevier Editora Ltda 01-11-2016; Contexto; Elsevier; Brazilian Society of Infectious Diseases
• Subjects: Adherence; Age Factors; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Aging; Aging - physiology; AIDS Dementia Complex - drug therapy; AIDS Dementia Complex - physiopathology; Anti-HIV Agents - therapeutic use; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Care and treatment; Comorbidity; Cross-Sectional Studies; Female; Health aspects; Highly active antiretroviral therapy; HIV; HIV infections; HIV patients; Humans; Infection; INFECTIOUS DISEASES; Male; Medical research; Medication Adherence; Middle Aged; Neurocognitive impairment; Original; Patient compliance; Prevalence studies (Epidemiology); Prognosis; Socioeconomic Factors; Viral Load; Virus diseases; Adherence; Aging; Neurocognitive impairment; HIV
• ISSN: 1413-8670; 1678-4391; 1678-4391
• DOI: 10.1016/j.bjid.2016.09.006

There is an increasing number of older patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection due to the success of antiretroviral therapy, the improved prognosis and life expectancy of patients, and the higher number of new infections among older individuals. The main objective of the present study was to compare the characteristics of older human immunodeficiency virus patients with those of younger patients.
We conducted a cross-sectional study with human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients who were treated at the Specialized Care Service (Serviço de Assistência Especializada) for human immunodeficiency virus/AIDS in the city of Pelotas, South Brazil. Sociodemographic information as well as data on human immunodeficiency virus infection and treatment were collected. All participants underwent psychiatric and neurocognitive assessments, and their adherence to antiretroviral therapy was evaluated.
A total of 392 patients participated in the study, with 114 patients aged 50 years and older. The characteristics showing significant differences between older and younger human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients included race/ethnicity, comorbidities, duration and adherence to antiretroviral therapy, currently undetectable viral load, and cognitive impairment. Compared to younger patients, older patients were at higher risk of exhibiting cognitive impairment [OR 2.28 (95% CI: 1.35–3.82, p=0.002)] and of having increased adherence to antiretroviral therapy [OR 3.11 (95% CI: 1.67–5.79, p<0.001)].
The prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remained high in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients despite antiretroviral therapy. In the present study, the prevalence of this type of impairment was significantly higher in patients aged ≥50 years, most likely due to aging, human immunodeficiency virus infection, and a possible synergistic effect between these factors. Despite this higher prevalence, older patients exhibited higher rates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy and of undetectable human immunodeficiency virus viral load.