Geriatric-HIV medicine: the geriatrician’s role
With the ever-growing population of aging people, the importance of geriatricians with HIV experience is growing. Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment is an important tool that could be used for this specific population, but it is noted that the current model would need to be adjusted to work better with aging PLWH.
Patient and provider perceptions of a comprehensive care program for HIV-positive adults over 50 years of age: The formation of the Golden Compass HIV and aging care program in San Francisco
People living with HIV (PLWH) are living longer, developing comorbidities and aging-related syndromes. New care models are needed to address the combined burden and complexity of HIV and its comorbidities in this group. The goal of this study is to describe qualitative data from patients and providers that informed the development of a comprehensive care model for older PLWH.
Come as You Are: Improving Care Engagement and Viral Load Suppression Among HIV Care Coordination Clients with Lower Mental Health Functioning, Unstable Housing, and Hard Drug Use
The findings of this study suggest that there is a connection between support to address psychosocial barriers and greater improvement on indicators along the HIV continuum. The findings also aid as evidence to the role of Care Coordination in increasing health and survival opportunities among those who are at the highest risk for suboptimal HIV health outcomes.
Factors associated with social deprivation among older persons living with HIV
Social deprivation is a comorbidity that many older people living with HIV face. The study analyzed the relationship between people living with HIV and social deprivation. Social deprivation was not related to HIV status but showed that OPWH that suffered from social deprivation received little support from social workers.
Short-term effectiveness of HIV care coordination among persons with recent HIV diagnosis or history of poor HIV outcomes
Researchers aimed to better understand how Care Coordination Programs (CCP) affect PLWH by having one group that was a part of a CCP and another that wasn’t. After 12-months individuals, viral loads before and after the study were compared. It was found that those in the CCP who had been recently diagnosed benefited the greatest from the program, so it is hypothesized that CCPs help with the initial hurdles of accessing and adhering to ART.
Reconciling the evaluation of co-morbidities among HIV care patients in two large data systems: the Medical Monitoring Project and CFAR Network of Integrated Clinical Systems
Data on persons with HIV and their burden of disease is poor and varies from one database to another. A study was performed utilizing two large databases, MMP and CNICS. The results displayed that each database can provide reliable data to monitor HIV co-morbidities in the US.
A continuum of HIV care describing mortality and loss to follow-up: a longitudinal cohort study
A cross-sectional study assessed how effective it was for those on HIV meds to not transmit to others, along with how high the loss to follow-up was in various HIV programs. They found that there was a high loss of follow-up in HIV care programs, but it highlighted the need for intervention as well as an increase in rates of viral suppression.
Using registry data to construct a comparison group for programmatic effectiveness evaluation: the New York City HIV care coordination program
To gauge and improve the effectiveness of care coordination programs, researchers looked at CCP evaluations of individuals with HIV. Oftentimes just looking at pre and post-program evaluations do not consider external events in a CCP participant’s life, which has an impact on the effectiveness of the program. Researchers suggest keeping a registry of possible events in the patient’s life. This way, care coordinators can be continuous and mindful of the patient’s circumstances.
HIV and aging: Role of the microbiome
The researchers in this study observe gut bacteria and the microbiome to see its impact on those aging with HIV.
Aging in HIV-Infected Subjects: A New Scenario and a New View
Researchers examine the age-related conditions in older persons with HIV and address clinical management according to the author’s expertise and published literature. The researchers aim to advance the debate about the most appropriate management of this population, including less well-studied aspects, such as the frequency of screening for psychological/mental and social and functional capabilities.
