Circumstances at HIV diagnosis and progression of disease in older HIV-infected Americans

Objectives. This study identified age-related differences in diagnosis and progression of HIV by analyzing a nationally representative sample of HIV-i nfected adults under care in the United States. Methods. We compared older (greater than or equal to 50 years) and younger participants stratified by race/ethnicity. Regression models controlled for demographic, therapeutic, and clinical factors. Results. Older non-Whites more often had HIV diagnosed when they were ill. Older and younger patients were clinically similar. At baseline, however, o lder non-Whites had fewer symptoms and were less likely to have AIDS, where as at follow-up they had a trend toward lower survival. Conclusions. Later HIV diagnosis in non-Whites merits public health attenti on; clinical progression in this group requires further study.