Objective: The aim of this study is to characterize the ways in which older HIV-infected people differ from younger HIV-infected people.
Methods: Prospective cohort study. PISCIS cohort includes newly attended HIV-infected subjects since January 1, 1998. Naive patients were selected. Two groups were defined: G1 (>or=50 years at time of diagnosis, n=493) and G2 (18-49 years, n=4511). Statistical analysis was performed using chi(2), Student's t test, Cox regression and linear mixed models.
Results: G1 had different features: males (G1: 84% vs. G2: 75%, p<0.001), sexual transmission (52% vs. 32%, p<0.001), AIDS at first visit (38% vs. 22%, p<0.001). The follow-up was 6 years. Ninety-five percent of patients in G1 and 92% in G2 presented a detectable viral load (>or=500 copies/mm(3)) at the first visit (p=0.016). G1 presented lower CD4 levels with respect to G2 throughout the period but the increase of CD4 in G1 at the end of the study period was 254 cells/mm(3) whereas for G2 it was 196 cells/mm(3) (p<0.001). Mortality was 9% for G1 and 4% for G2 (p<0.001).
Conclusions: HIV-infected people diagnosed at the age of 50 years or older showed different features. They showed good viral and immunological response to HAART.