Aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue in a group of long‐term diagnosed HIV‐infected individuals

摘要

Background The significant decrease in mortality has resulted in a large number of individuals aged over 50 living with HIV infection. Additionally, the coexistence of certain pathologies suggests premature aging. In this scenario, the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue is yet to be explored. Methods Cross‐sectional observational study to evaluate the presence of aging‐associated symptoms in the physician‐patient dialogue and to explore the possible differences between genders in a sample of 100 HIV‐1 infected subjects diagnosed at least 15 years ago. The survey assessed questions/comments made by the patient, questions/comments made by the physician and patients’ interest in obtaining more information than was provided. Number of patients and percentages were given and compared using the w2 or Fisher exact test (as appropriate). Results Participants were 60 men and 40 women, diagnosed with HIV infection a median (IQ) of 18 (15.7–21) years ago, who had a nadir CD4 and CD4 cell count at the study entry of 172 (95–272) and 543 (403–677), respectively. Eighty percent of the subjects had VL Conclusions Around half of the men and women interviewed had discussed aging‐associated symptoms with their physician. However, this seemed insufficient for four‐fifths of the women, who would have liked to have obtained more information about aging.