Geriatric-HIV Medicine: the geriatrician's role

Eur Geriatr Med. 2019 Apr;10(2):259-265. doi: 10.1007/s41999-018-0144-1. Epub 2018 Dec 10.

Abstract

The scenario of people living with HIV has dramatically changed, and nowadays older adults with HIV constitute almost half of the HIV population-and the percentage is growing. Frailty and geriatric syndromes have been highly demonstrated among older adults with HIV; therefore, the application of geriatric medicine principles to their approach has become essential. Geriatric-HIV Medicine, specific, collaborative work between HIV specialists and geriatricians, is a young discipline that has the goal of ensuring a global and specific approach to older patients that is focused on function and the continuum of care. The geriatrician's role adds value to the care of older people living with HIV through Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment for those patients who can benefit but goes beyond the clinical approach and involves generating scientific evidence that impacts and changes the current model of care.

Keywords: Geriatric medicine; Geriatrician; HIV; Older adults.