Title: A Study of HIV in Elderly Patients with Special Reference to Socio-Demographic Profile and Response to Anti Retroviral therapy
Authors: Miranda Pegu, Sujata Hazarika, Neelakshi Mahanta, Swaroop Kumar Baruah
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v4i12.106
Abstract
Background: While HIV infection is commonly thought to affect younger adults, there are an increasing number of patients over 50 years of age living with the condition. With the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy, survival following HIV diagnosis has risen dramatically and HIV infection has evolved from an acute disease process to a chronic medical condition.
Aims and Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV in elderly, socio-demographic profile and response to ART.
Materials and Method: This retrospective observational study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital in north eastern part of India. Out of 4085 registered cases between may 2005 to December 2013, a total of 50 patients who are aged over 60 years were included in the study.
Results: Prevalence of elderly was 1.22%. Mean age at presentation was 63.44 yrs. 42(84%) were males and 8 (16%) were females. Patients from rural (54%) background was slightly higher as compared to urban (46%) background. Heterosexual was the most common mode of transmission 34/50 (68%).Most of the cases were employed and literate. Sero-conversion was observed in 18 cases out of 49 married patient. Extra-pulmonary TB was the commonest Opportunistic infection. CD4 cell count increases significantly with ART. Mortality was associated with lower CD4 count at presentation.
Conclusion: Incidence of HIV in elderly is on the rising trend due to more case detection and effective treatment. Special attention should be paid to older women as under reporting is very common due to gender bias, social stigma and neglect. ART is very effective even in elderly hence no stone should be left unturned to detect HIV infection in older adults.
KEYWORDS: ART (Antiretroviral therapy), CD4 cell count, Elderly, HIV, Socio-demographic profile.
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