Implementation of a multidisciplinary approach to care for people with HIV aged 80 years and over
Year: 2024
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: BACKGROUND: Frailty adversely affects health and quality of life of people with HIV (PWH). A multidisciplinary-team (MDT) was established to perform a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) and to address modifiable risk factors in elderly PWH. METHODS: PWH aged over 80 years were reviewed by a dedicated HIV/geriatric clinic at Chelsea and Westminster Hospital. Descriptive statistics were used to report the variables of interest. RESULTS: Sixty-three PWH were reviewed, with a median age of 82 (IQR 80-86). Fifty-seven (88%) were men. The median number of co-morbidities was five (IQR 4-7) and polypharmacy was seen in 55 (85%), with a median of six (IQR 5-8) co-medications reported. The median Rockwood Clinical Frailty Score was two (IQR 2-5). Antiretrovirals were modernised in 18 (29%) individuals; co-medication changes and de-prescribing was recommended in 39 (62%). CONCLUSION: A MDT approach helped reducing polypharmacy and frailty, suggesting that specialised tools and MDT input are key to identify medical and social concerns in elderly PWH.
Authors: Maithili Varadarajan, Sophie Blackburn, Nicolo Girometti, Alexandra Hicks, Elizabeth Senkoro, Caterina Candela, Elizabeth Ridsdill Smith, Nadia Naous, Timothy Tong, Marta Boffito
Language: English
Subfield: Emergency Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4402974446