Scientific Publication

Characteristics and outcomes of older HIV infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Malawi

author(s) Tweya, H. - Feldacker, C. - Heller, T. - Gugsa, S. - Ng'ambi, W.
from UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO)
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themes
regions
  • Northern Europe
  • Europe
  • World
  • Eastern Africa
  • Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Africa
citation

Tweya H, Feldacker C, Heller T, Gugsa S, Ng’ambi W, Nthala O, Kalulu M, Chiwoko J, Banda R, Makwinja A, Phiri S. Characteristics and outcomes of older HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in Malawi: A retrospective observation cohort study. PLoS One. 2017;12(7):e0180232

Publications and datasets provided via GARDIAN

Abstract

Objective To estimate patients enrolling on antiretroviral therapy (ART) over time; describe trends in baseline characteristics; and compare immunological response, loss to follow-up (LTFU), and mortality by three age groups (25–39, 40–49 and ≥50 years). Design A retrospective observation cohort study. Methods This study used routine ART data from two public clinics in Lilongwe, Malawi. All HIV-infected individuals, except pregnant or breastfeeding women, aged ≥ 25 years at ART initiation between 2006 and 2015 were included. Poisson regression models estimated risk of mortality, stratified by age groups. Conclusion Older people had slower immunological response and higher mortality. Malawi appears to be undergoing a demographic shift in people living with HIV. Increased consideration of long-term ART-related problems, drug-drug interactions and age-related non-communicable diseases is warranted. This research was supported by the UK Department for International Development’s Operational Research Capacity Building Programme led by the International Union Against TB and Lung Disease (The Union)

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