A Pilot Project for PLWH Aged 65-75: Preventing the Development of Frailty

A Pilot Project for PLWH Aged 65-75: Preventing the Development of Frailty

In ageing populations, the main risk is the development of a syndrome of frailty, characterized by the addition of polymorbidity, polymedication, psychosocial difficulties, cognitive disorders, ... This functional decline is linked to a reduction in the person's functional reserves, and will lead to an increase in health problems, hospitalizations and, ultimately, mortality. People living with HIV (PLWH) over 50 develop the same kind of comorbidities as HIV-uninfected people over 75 years-old.

In Belgium, the care of PLWH< 75 years with frailty syndrome is not reimbursed by healthcare insurance, and geriatric assessment and management is therefore not possible in this age group, despite the very real need.

Goals of this project are:

1. Determine the proportion and characterize the population of PLWH aged 65 and over who screen positive using the Fried scale
2. Validate the application of the Fried scale in a population of PLWH
3. Offer a care pathway model to prevent the onset of frailty in people screened as at-risk and who do not benefit from routine screening or care pathway reimbursement.

Projets proposal:

• Systematic screening of all PLWH aged 65-74 at the MIA Center, by the nurse prior to physician consultation, using the Fried scale.
• Send all PLWH aged 65-74 who screen positive to Geriatric One Day for an ergo-geriatric consultation to confirm the risk of frailty and set up a preventive care pathway
• After treatment, perform a patient satisfaction questionnaire + a new Fried scale at one year

Inclusion Criteria:

• living with HIV
• between 65-74 years

Exclusion Criteria:

• none