HIV-1 infected patients older than 50 years. PISCIS cohort study

SummaryObjectiveThe aim of this study is to characterize the ways in which older HIV-infected people differ from younger HIV-infected people.MethodsProspective cohort study. PISCIS cohort includes newly attended HIV-infected subjects since January 1, 1998. Naïve patients were selected. Two groups were defined: G1 (≥50 years at time of diagnosis, n = 493) and G2 (18–49 years, n = 4511). Statistical analysis was performed using χ2, Student's t test, Cox regression and linear mixed models.ResultsG1 had different features: males (G1: 84% vs. G2: 75%, p < 0.001), sexual transmission (52% vs. 32%, p < 0.001), AIDS at first visit (38% vs. 22%, p < 0.001). The follow-up was 6 years. Ninety-five percent of patients in G1 and 92% in G2 presented a detectable viral load (≥500 copies/mm3) at the first visit (p = 0.016). G1 presented lower CD4 levels with respect to G2 throughout the period but the increase of CD4 in G1 at the end of the study period was 254 cells/mm3 whereas for G2 it was 196 cells/mm3 (p < 0.001). Mortality was 9% for G1 and 4% for G2 (p < 0.001).ConclusionsHIV-infected people diagnosed at the age of 50 years or older showed different features. They showed good viral and immunological response to HAART.