PIH64 FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG OLDER PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV

Abstract

The population of people living with HIV (PLWH) is aging. To investigate how HIV impacts older PLWH in the U.S., a new study called Aging with Dignity, Health, Optimism and Community (ADHOC) was launched at ten sites to collect self-reported data. A cross-sectional analysis of ADHOC was performed on 698 PLWH (age 50+) to determine associations between self-reported quality of life (QoL) and sociodemographic, health status, and clinical indicators. QoL was assessed using the PozQoL, a validated, HIV disease-specific instrument. The impact of various factors on QoL was analyzed using bivariate analyses. Factors associated with QoL at p < 0.2 were included in a backwards, stepwise, linear regression model. The average age of ADHOC participants was 59 years. 91% were male, 89% were gay or lesbian, 75% were white, 95% had an undetectable viral load, and 52% were employed. Clinical characteristics associated with lower QoL included having six or more comorbid conditions, taking a higher number of antiretroviral medications, and taking a higher number of non-HIV medications. Behavioral characteristics associated with lower QoL included having anxiety or depression. Social characteristics contributing to lower QoL included being single, HIV-related stigma, and an annual household income less than $50,000. Being 65 or older was associated with higher QoL (all p’s < 0.05). Among PLWH over 50, some factors related to quality of life, like age, cannot be changed. Others may be modified through lifestyle choices (being single versus in a relationship) or through medical interventions (treating depression and anxiety, and minimizing the number of medicines prescribed). Given these findings, measuring QoL among older PLWH may surface unmet needs that allow for improvements in care beyond viral suppression. Observational studies of PLWH over age 50 are important to better understand the overall needs of this growing population.