Doctors are failing to diagnose HIV in older
patients, who are exposed to greater risk of infection as erectile dysfunction
drugs extend their sex lives, a study published by the World Health Organisation
said on Tuesday.
The report in the WHO Bulletin found that increasing numbers of sexually
active people aged 50 and upwards -- who are more likely to risk unprotected sex
than younger people -- are contracting the AIDS virus.
And although many people are having sex into their twilight years, HIV is
still rarely considered as a cause of illness in older individuals. "Screening
is less common for older adults, who are assumed not to be at risk," the study
found.
"HIV prevalence and incidence in the over-50-year-olds seem surprisingly
high and the risk factors are totally unexplored," the authors from the WHO and
Minnesota's St. Olaf College said.
Patients over the age of 50 make up roughly 8 percent of new HIV
diagnoses in Europe and 11 percent in the United States, where rising numbers of
older people are infected with the virus that spreads through sex, transfusions,
and needle-sharing.
"These individuals have a shorter time from diagnosis to the onset of
AIDS, reflecting both age-related faster progression to AIDS and doctors'
failure to consider HIV as a diagnosis," the report said.
Among the aged, the study said sexual activity is the most likely mode of
HIV transmission. One reason for the increase in frequency is the use of
impotence treatments that have allowed both men and women to have more sexual
partners.
"Since 1998, erectile dysfunction drugs have been extending the sex life
of many older individuals and, at the same time, may be extending the HIV
epidemic into older age groups," the study said.
"Older individuals are less likely than their younger counterparts to
practice safer sex," it said.
While the sexual activity of older people in poor countries has not been
studied, and there is no data about the prevalence of HIV among the aged in the
developing world, the WHO Bulletin study said similar trends were likely
occurring there.
"While erectile dysfunction is common and erectile dysfunction drugs are
widely available in developing countries, no study has been done of their
possible impact on the HIV epidemic, although their use in industrialised
countries has been associated with risky safety practices," the report said.
Older women appear to be at higher risk of contracting HIV if they have
sex without a condom because of thinning with age of the vaginal mucous
membrane, which gives natural lubrication.
Antiretroviral drugs have dramatically extended the life expectancy of
people who catch HIV in rich economies, such as NBA basketball star Magic
Johnson who announced his infection more than 16 years ago.
But for those infected with HIV after the age of 65, the study said life
expectancy is only four years. "Waning immunity with age may be the reason," it
said. About 33 million people worlwide are living with HIV, mostly in Africa.
(Editing by Richard Balmforth) Keywords: AIDS OLD/
(geneva.newsroom@reuters.com; Tel. +41 22 733 3831; Reuters Messaging:
laura.macinnis.reuters.com@reuters.net)
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