Sex Differences in the Prevalence of Geriatric Syndromes Among Older People Living with HIV Attending an Urban Outpatient Clinic in Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background: Older people living with HIV (PLHIV) are at high risk of developing geriatric syndromes. Data on geriatric syndromes among older PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa are scarce. We examined sex differences in the prevalence and correlates of geriatric syndromes among PLHIV aged ≥60 years on antiretroviral therapy in Kampala, Uganda.

Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data obtained during the enrollment of older PLHIV into a prospective observational cohort in Kampala. We used the Poisson regression model to explore the association between the number of geriatric syndromes and non-communicable diseases (NCDs), sociodemographic factors, and HIV-related factors.

Results: We included 500 participants (48.8% women) with a median age of 64 years (interquartile range, IQR: 62.68). Almost all (94.4%) participants had at least one geriatric syndrome. More women were frail (13.1% vs 5.1%, P-value = 0.01) and had lower physical performance measured using the Short Physical Performance Battery (43.3% vs 26.6%, P-value < 0.01). Similarly, more women had cognitive impairment (83.2% vs 62.9%, P-value < 0.01) and reported falling (48.8% vs 34.0%, P-value < 0.01). Women (adjusted mean ratio, AMR 1.17, 95% CI 1.05-1.30, P-value < 0.01), older age (AMR 1.11, 95% CI 1.07-1.16, P-value < 0.01), no formal education (AMR 1.39, 95% CI 1.06-1.82, P-value = 0.01), underweight (AMR 1.49, 95% CI 1.26-1.76, P-value < 0.01), World Health Organization (WHO) stage 3 or 4 (AMR 1.11, 95% CI 0.01-1.22, P-value = 0.04) and having two or more NCDs (AMR 1.11, 95% CI 1.00-1.23, P-value = 0.04) were associated with a higher number of geriatric syndromes.

Conclusion: The prevalence of geriatric syndromes was high among older PLHIV and was more common in women. There is a need to incorporate the screening and management of geriatric syndromes into the care of older PLHIV in sub-Saharan Africa, with a particular focus on women.