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


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 <350/mm(3). Mean age was 45 years (range 18-88) with 5% <30, 23% 30-39, 43% 40-49, 22% 50-59 and 7% ≥60 years. The most prevalent distressing physical symptoms were: lack of energy/tiredness (26%), difficulty sleeping (24%), muscle-ache/joint pain (21%) and pain (18%). With older age, there was no clear trend in prevalence of physical symptom distress, but prevalence of depression and anxiety decreased, while prevalence of HrQoL problems increased. This pattern remained after adjustment for gender/sexuality and time diagnosed with HIV. The increase with age in overall prevalence of HrQoL problem was due to increased problems for "mobility," "self-care" and "performing usual activities" domains, not an increase in "depression/anxiety." Longer time with diagnosed HIV was strongly associated with higher prevalence of all symptoms measures and HrQoL problem (p<0.001 for trend, adjusted models).


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.
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Jennifer
J
McGowan
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Lorraine
L
Sherr
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Alison
A
Rodger
HIV Medicine, Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals NHS Trust, Brighton, UK.
Martin
M
Fisher
Department of Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.
Alec
A
Miners
HIV Medicine, The Royal Free Centre for HIV Medicine, London, UK.
Margaret
M
Johnson
Evidence-based Health Care, City University, London, UK.
Jonathan
J
Elford
HIV i-Base, London, UK.
Simon
S
Collins
Population Health Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
Graham
G
Hart
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Andrew
A
Phillips
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Andrew
A
Speakman
Infection and Population Health, University College London, London, UK.
Fiona
F
Lampe