Human immunodeficiency virus infection in elderly patients

Background. The proportion of older individuals infected with the human imm unodeficiency virus (HIV) is rising. Methods. We performed a retrospective case-control study of 58 patients mor e than 60 years old at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection and compared them with 232 controls (matched by CD4(+) lymphocyte count). Clinical and d emographic data were obtained from the Adult Spectrum of Diseases (ASD) dat abase at the Medical Center of Louisiana. Results. Patients in the older age group were more likely to be male and Af rican American or Hispanic. The most common risk factor for acquisition of HN infection among the patients was homosexual contact (53%). Disease stagi ng was similar in both groups as determined by CD4(+) lymphocyte counts and history of opportunistic infections. There was no difference in the use of antiretroviral therapy. In a Cox proportional hazard model and regression models, age greater than or equal to 60 years was associated with shorter s urvival. Conclusion. Patients who are older than 60 years at the time of diagnosis o f HN infection have a shorter survival than younger patients.