Characteristics and treatment outcomes of elderly people on antiretroviral therapy at two community health centres and a primary care facility, Potchefstroom, South Africa

Abstract

Background: South Africa (SA) has a high Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) burden but little is known of older people living with HIV (PLWH). Its growth rate is accelerating in this age group and could put more strain on dwindling resources. Studies have been done in other provinces, but the North-West Province (NWP) has a paucity of information on HIV for this age group. Objectives: This study aimed to describe characteristics and comorbidities of older people living with HIV in Potchefstroom. Viral load (VL) suppression was evaluated and relationships between patient characteristics and outcomes were explored. Methods: A descriptive, retrospective file review was done. Descriptive statistics were described and associations between patient characteristics and treatment outcomes were explored. Statistically significant associations were tested in a logistic regression model. Results: Out of 191 patients, female patients were in the majority (58.1%), < 70 years old (87.4%) and had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≤ 10 years (74.4%). Most patients were on first line ART (82.7%) and had VL suppression (81.9%). Hypertension was the most common comorbidity (55.5%). A high recent CD4 cell count (≥ 350 cells/mm3) had positive relationships with suppressed VL (OR 2.3, p = 0.037), first line ART (OR 2.78, p = 0.041) and treatment duration ≥ 5 years (OR 3.15, p = 0.009) Conclusion: There was room for improving the level of VL suppression in this cohort. More research is needed in older PLWH in the NWP so as to direct resources to optimise their well- being.