POORER COGNETIVE FUNCTIONING WAS ASSOCIATED with Subaptimal Engagement in Care in a sample of sexual minority men with aged 50 and Older who reported chronic pain and substance use. The Findings Were Published in Aids Research and Treatment.
Patients with HIV are Living Longer, with MOST People with HIV in the United States Being AGED 50 and Older, Colli O’Cleirigh, PhD, and Colleagues Noted. “However, with Longevity Come Chronic Health Conditions that adversély impact quality of life, Such as Hiv-Associated and one’s other neurocognitive impairment.”
The Study Assessed Engagement in Hiv-Relanted Care and Functional Disability In 63 WHA HAVE SEX WITH HIV HIV AS WELL AS WET CHRONIC PAIN AND RECENT SUBSTANCE USE. The Majority Identified as White (55%) or Black (42%), with a Mean Age of 57.2 Years.
On the brief pain inventory, in Which Patients Rate pain on a 0 to 10 scale from no pain to the worst pain imaginable, participants’ averag pain scores were 5.2, signaling moderat paine levels. Two-thirds met dsm-5 criteria for a substance use disorder.
The Mean Score on the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (Moca) was 23.6, Indicating Mill Neurocognitive Impairment.
Multidisciplinary Care Indicated in this Patient Population
The Researchers Found That Greater Neurocognitive Impairment, the Measred by the Moca, Was Associated with more Missed Appointments for Hiv Care in the Previous Year. SIMILARLY, self-reported cognitive impairment on the skate assessment of opening inventory Was Linked with more missed Hiv carefulments and Greater Functional Disability. In Contrast, POORER SEMANTIC FLUENCY WAS ASSOCIATED with Fewer Missed Appointments for HIV Care.
AS The First Study to Investigate Relationships Between Hiv Care Engagement and Neurocognitive Impairment in Older Men Who have Sex With Men, The Findings Have Implications for Hiv Care, According to Dr. O’Cleirigh and Colleagues. Specifically, Men Experiencing Neurocognitive Impairment May Require Targeted Intervention to Promote Attendance at Hiv Care Appointments.
This Level of Support “May Be Beyond The Scope” of Hiv Care, The Researchers Noted, Underscoring the Importance of Link to Care Or Healthcare Navigation Services That Are Tailored To People Aging With HIV.
Addihthanly, Increaded Brief Neuropsychological Assessment and Referral from Primary Care May Better Identify Aging Patients At Risk For Subaptimal Engagement in HIV Care. Addressing Comord Substance Use Disorder is also critical, Dr. O’Cleirigh and Colleagues Noted.
