Verheij E, Wit FW, Verboeket SO, et al. Frequency, risk factors and mediators of frailty transitions during long-term follow-up among people with HIV and HIV-negative AGEhIV cohort participants. JAIDS. 2020; in press.

Sehl ME, Rickabaugh TM, Shih R, et al. The effects of anti-retroviral therapy on epigenetic age acceleration observed in HIV-1-infected adults. Pathogens and Immunity. 2020; in press.

Potent combination HIV treatment (ART) has had a tremendous impact on the HIV epidemic. Research suggests that many ART users will have a near-normal life expectancy. Not surprisingly, more and more HIV-positive people in North America and Western Europe are living longer and many are now over the age of 50.

As all people age, they can develop health conditions, called comorbidities, such as higher-than-normal blood pressure, abnormalities of blood sugar and cholesterol, kidney injury and thinning bones. Over the long-term, these comorbidities and perhaps other factors likely contribute to an increased risk for poor health, falls, hospitalization, disability and reduced life expectancy.

Research suggests that HIV infection can accelerate the aging process but that this acceleration can be significantly reduced by initiating and continuing to take ART. However, because many people are not immediately aware of the timing of their infection, there is a delay in initiating ART. This delay can last for months or years. During the time not spent on ART, the aging process is accelerated and this acceleration may increase the future risk for the development of comorbidities.

Aging in Amsterdam

Researchers in Amsterdam have recruited a group of HIV-positive and HIV-negative people of similar socio-demographic background. These participants are in a study on aging called AGEhIV.

The researchers have produced useful reports about aging and HIV in the past. In their latest analysis, the researchers found that HIV-positive people are at heightened risk for developing some degree of frailty. This risk was influenced by factors such as abdominal obesity, total number of comorbidities and symptoms of depression. Studies are needed to determine whether intervening against these factors can reduce the risk of frailty in HIV-positive people. Read more via CATIE