Age or Duration, what better determines health outcomes and behavior

Aim: Differentiate age and time effects on health outcomes and health behaviors in HIV+ adults. Methods: The HIV-Aging Study is a cross-sectional investigation of HIV+ adults across the life span. Eligible participants were Philadelphia Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) clinical registry patients, known to be infected with HIV and actively seeking medical treatment at local Philadelphia infectious disease clinics. N=109 participants were interviewed (2004-2005): age year-range 21—88 (mean 49.72, sd 14.05), HIV duration year-range <1—21 years (mean 9.87, sd 6.15). Effects were examined for health outcomes: mental health/substance abuse (MH/SA), medical comorbidity, and cognition; and health behavior adherence: medication, nutrition, weight control, physical activity, seat belt use, dental care, medical care, smoking, and alcohol. Results: Age significantly predicted mental health/substance abuse (younger more likely to have MH/SA), medical comorbidity (older more likely to have a medical comorbidity), nutrition (older more likely to attempt to adherence to nutritional guidelines), smoking cessation (older more likely not to smoke). Duration significantly predicted cessation of HIV medication when feeling worse (more likely among individuals with a longer duration). Conclusions: Findings indicate that age and duration are independent determinants. Older individuals appeared to be advantaged in regards to MH/SA and nutritional and smoking adherence, however longer duration of HIV indicated a higher likelihood to stop taking HIV medication during times of poorer health. With HIV+ adults living longer, the importance of medication adherence may need to be reinforced in HIV+ populations that have been living with the disease for a long while.