Increased costs of HIV care associated with aging in an HIV‐infected population

• Published in: HIV medicine 2015-01, Vol.16 (1), p.38-47
• Main Authors: Krentz, HB, Gill, MJ
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aging; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active - economics; Canada; Canada - epidemiology; cost of care; Female; Health Care Costs - statistics & numerical data; health policy; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV/AIDS; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Patient Acceptance of Health Care - statistics & numerical data; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1464-2662; 1468-1293
• DOI: 10.1111/hiv.12176

Objectives Improved survival has shifted the HIV epidemic in the developed world towards more individuals > 50 years of age. Older individuals, with new or longstanding HIV infection, are at greater risk for HIV‐related and non‐HIV‐related conditions, compounding the burden and complexity of HIV management. The aim of the study was to examine the impact of age on the cost of HIV care in a well‐defined HIV‐infected population. Methods All HIV‐infected individuals > 16 years old receiving HIV care between 1 January 2000 and 1 January 2011 were included in the study. The costs of antiretroviral therapy (ART), HIV‐related out‐patient care and HIV‐related in‐patient care were collected using mean cost per person, per month (PPPM) as the comparator variable for the comparison between older (> 50 years old) and younger (≤ 50 years old) patients. Results The proportion of older patients increased from 9.6% to 25.4% and proportional costs increased from 25% to 31% from 1999 to 2010. Older patients were more likely than younger patients to be on ART (89% vs. 69%, respectively; P