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HIV-infected patients over the age of 50 are just as likely to achieve antiretroviral therapy success as their younger counterparts, but are more likely to experience a range of complications after commencing treatment, according to the results of an Italian study published in HIV Medicine.

The study compared 48-week outcomes among 159 older HIV-infected patients and 118 younger HIV-infected patients in Milan, Italy. Although treatment tolerability, CD4 cell-count increase, and virological-suppression rates were similar between both patient groups, older patients experienced greater rates of abnormal glucose, serum creatinine, total cholesterol, HDL and triglyceride levels-- much as they do among the HIV-uninfected population.

The study also found that younger HIV-infected patients appeared more likely to have abnormal ALT levels, while older HIV-infected patients were more likely to experience moderate or severe liver and renal toxicities. Cumulatively, the results point to the need for greater attention to the interaction between age and antiretroviral use, the researchers say.

from TheBodyPro.com