Frailty and Comorbidities in Adult People Living with HIV a Case Study in Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District, Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe

Abstract

Some evidence suggests that HIV itself is associated with frailty; a syndrome typically viewed as being related to ageing. The researcher determines the prevalence and predictors of frailty in a population of HIV infected individuals at Mutawatawa Hospital in UMP district, Mashonaland East, Zimbabwe. He also determined the association between frailty and comorbidities. A retrospective cohort study of 153 adults (>30 years) people living with HIV was used. The mean age of the study participants was 44.49 and a median of 41. The majority were female (62.7%). Frailty as defined by standardized assessment comprised of ≥3 of weight loss, low physical activity, exhaustion, weak grip strength and slow waling time. 64.7% of the study participants were found to be frail. Independent predictors of frailty were evaluated using Binary logistic regression. Association between frailty and comorbidities was determined using Binary logistic regression. CD4 count was a strong predictor of frailty (OR=1.33; 95% CI: 1.03-5.74, p=0.026). Age was also a strong predictor of frailty (OR=2.993; 95% CI: 1.049-3.039, p=0.023). Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (OR=3.59; 95% CI: 1.028-4.53; p=0.029), CVD (OR= 1.632; 95% CI: 1.117-22.735; p=0.015) and dyslipidemia (OR=0.713; 95% CI: 1.020-25.275; p=0.042) were strongly associated with frailty. Lower CD4 counts and older age were strong predictors of frailty in HIV infected populations. Earlier initiation of ART may be protective. Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus, CVD and Dyslipidemia were strongly associated with frailty. A cardiovascular exercise regimen can help overcome frailty.