Effects of age on symptom burden, mental health and quality of life amongst people with HIV in the UK

Table 1: Adjusted association of age with symptom prevalence among PWH N=3258 Physical symptom distress Depression Anxiety Health?related QoL problem Age (years) % Adjusted OR* (95% CI) % Adjusted OR* [...]
Introduction: The evolving HIV epidemic, coupled with advances in HIV treatment, has resulted in an ageing HIV?diagnosed population. It has been suggested that adverse physical and psychological effects of HIV may be higher among older people. However, few studies have examined the effect of older age on well?being for people with HIV. Materials and Methods: The ASTRA study included 3258 HIV?diagnosed individuals (2248 MSM; 373 heterosexual men; 637 women) recruited from eight UK clinics in 2011?12 (64% response rate). Participants completed a questionnaire that included standard inventories on symptoms and health?related quality of life (HrQoL). Associations of age group with: physical symptom distress (reporting significant distress for ?1 of 26 symptoms), depression and anxiety (score ?10 on PHQ?9 and GAD?7, respectively) and HrQoL problem (reporting problems on ?1 of 5 Eurqol?5D domains) were assessed; adjustment was made for gender/sexuality and time with diagnosed HIV. Results: Of all participants, 87% were taking ART, 76% had VL ?50c/mL and 19% had CD4 Conclusions: Physical and psychological symptoms are common among people living with HIV, but the burden of these symptoms is not highest among the older age group. While HrQoL tended to worsen with older age, physical symptom distress did not, and mental health improved. This may reflect greater resilience in older adults, or the potential for ?successful ageing?: maintaining mental health despite age?related health losses.