Image from ViiV Healthcare and Shutterstock’s HIV in View collection
Aging with Dignity, Health, Optimism, and Community (ADHOC) was a research initiative and online registry designed for people aged 50 and above living with HIV
The initiative aimed to explore the intersection of HIV and ageing, with a specific focus on issues such as loneliness, mental wellbeing, social support, and overall life satisfaction. In addition to gathering data, ADHOC created an online platform that facilitated connections among older PLHIV, helping to reduce isolation and foster community support.
Using PozQoL to evaluate quality of life
The study used validated patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) — including PozQoL— to gather and evaluate information on various health and psychosocial elements, including comorbid conditions, adherence to HIV treatment, experiences of stigma, and resilience. With over 1,000 participants across the United States, ADHOC provided robust data on the experiences of older PLHIV, offering valuable insights for improving care.
Insights from PozQoL data about challenges of ageing with HIV
The ADHOC study underscored the complex challenges faced by older adults living with HIV, including mental health struggles, social isolation, and stigma. Using PozQoL, researchers gained valuable insights into how these factors affect quality of life (QoL) and identified specific areas for improvement. For example, PozQoL data have helped researchers:
- Assess how comorbidities, stigma, and mental health affect QoL for older adults living with HIV
- Identify links between lower QoL and the use of pain medication, as well as between lower QoL and loneliness in this population
- Emphasise the importance of tailoring programs to meet the unique challenges and leverage the specific strengths of older Black and White gay and bisexual men
Moving forward with quality-of-life tools
The ADHOC study highlights the value of using of PROMs like PozQoL to provide a deeper understanding of the experiences and challenges faced by older people living with HIV. As HIV care continues to evolve, focusing on quality of life will be essential in ensuring that older adults living with HIV receive the comprehensive, person-centred support they need to thrive in later life.
This story was originally published on 18 September 2020 under the title ‘PozQoL helping improve understanding of HRQoL among PLHIV in the United States’. It has been updated to reflect new developments.
