Study characteristics on health-related quality of life in older people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A narrative review.

Abstract

Background: People living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) are aging as a result the benefits of combination antiretroviral therapy.

Aim: To provide descriptions of eligible existing studies on demographics, methodologies, and outcome measures related to health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in the context of HIV and aging.

Methods: The MEDLINE, CINAHL, Scopus, and PsycINFO databases were systematically searched using the terms HIV, age, and HRQoL to find studies published between January 1995 and June 2022. Key variables of the eligible studies were identified and categorized into demographics (e.g., study sites, study year), methodologies (e.g., use of conceptual frameworks, measures used), and outcome measures [e.g., HRQoL, quality of life (QoL)]. The PRISMA 2009 checklist was followed.

Results: A total of 68 published studies involving 53504 participants were included. The majority of the studies (55.88%) were conducted in North America, with relatively few studies conducted in Africa. The median age of participants was 51.0 years (IQR = 11.0). Over one-third (32.56%) of all participants were older people living with HIV aged 50 years and older Four studies included only older female participants, and six studies included only men who have sex with men. Outcome measures were assessed as HRQoL (26.47%) or QoL (36.76%). Overall, data from African studies, older women living with HIV, socioeconomic status (e.g., employment, income, education), sexual behavioral risks, theoretical frameworks used, and follow-up studies were limited.

Conclusion: This narrative review highlights imbalances and gaps in research on HRQoL in the context of HIV and aging, providing direction for future studies in this area.