Aging and HIV Infection

Abstract

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in mid-1995, the prognosis for HIV-infected individuals has brightened dramatically. However, the conjunction of potent antiviral therapy and longer life expectancy may engender a variety of health risks that, heretofore, HIV specialists have not had to confront. The long-term effects of HIV infection itself and exposure to antiretroviral agents is unknown. Several aspects of aging, including psychiatric disease, neurocognitive impairment, and metabolic and hormonal disorders, may be influenced by chronic exposure to HIV and/or HIV therapeutics. In this paper, we discuss the health issues confronting HIV-infected older adults and areas for future research.

Moving Toward a Holistic Conceptual Framework for Understanding Healthy Aging Among Gay Men

“…Furthermore, it is likely that gay men may experience higher rates of substance use-related morbidities as they age (Green & Feinstein, 2012). The extant research also provides evidence indicating that older age and HIV independently increase the risk of neurocognitive impairment, particularly in the areas of attention, processing speed, and executive functioning, as well as memory (Hardy & Vance, 2009;Kohli et al, 2006).…”

Factors Associated with Preclinical Disability and Frailty among HIV-Infected and HIV-Uninfected Women in the Era of cART

“…[2][3][4] Both HIV and aging are thought to impair cognitive, metabolic, and cardiovascular functioning. 2,5 Research is accumulating to suggest that deterioration of these physiological systems is caused in part by systemic immune activation and a chronic inflammatory state, which may persist even when HIV replication is adequately suppressed. In both HIV infection and aging, systemic immune activation causes impaired regenerative capacity and functioning of T cell populations that may hinder antigen-specific responses but may promote generalized inflammation.…”

Social Provisions of the Human–Animal Relationship amongst 30 People Living with HIV in Australia

“…They're my rock, they've got to hold me together. (M9, dogs and cat) Buffer Against Self-Destructive Behaviors, Including Suicide: There is evidence that suicide may be a hidden part of the HIV epidemic (Kalichman et al 2000;Kohli et al 2006;Preau et al 2008), and some participants in the current study indicated that an HIV-diagnosis, or the subsequent associated stressors, could be reason to consider this option. Twelve participants also acknowledged their companion animal's supportive presence as a principal reason for not acting on self-destructive thoughts.…”