SHM Converge Scientific Abstract ePoster Gallery-Correlation Between Polypharmacy and Frailty Among Thai Older Persons Living With Hiv

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This cross-sectional study examined whether polypharmacy is linked to frailty among older Thai people living with HIV (PLWH). Researchers compared 324 virally suppressed PLWH with 132 HIV-negative adults aged 50 and older in Bangkok. Polypharmacy was defined as taking more than five non-ART medications, and frailty was assessed using the five Fried frailty phenotypes: grip strength, gait speed, weight loss, exhaustion, and physical activity.<br /><br />Participants were generally healthy, with few comorbidities and relatively low medication use. The median number of non-ART medications was 2 in PLWH and 1 in uninfected participants. Frailty was uncommon in both groups, but more frequent among PLWH (8.6%) than among HIV-negative adults (3.8%).<br /><br />The main finding was that among PLWH, each additional non-ART medication was associated with an 8% higher likelihood of having more frailty domains, indicating a significant positive correlation between polypharmacy and frailty. This association was not statistically significant in the uninfected group. The effect appeared stronger in PLWH than in those without HIV.<br /><br />The study suggests that even in relatively healthy older PLWH in a resource-limited setting, polypharmacy may contribute to frailty. Because polypharmacy may be modifiable, the authors recommend future research on safe deprescribing strategies to reduce medication burden and potentially lower frailty risk. Key limitations included the ambulatory clinic setting, possible undercounting of medications due to self-report, few frail participants, and a sample mostly composed of men.

Asset Subtitle

Jennifer A. Woodard

Meta Tag

Author List Alex Jordan, Anchalee Avihingsanon, Aroonsiri Sangarlankarn, Jennifer A. Woodard, Tanakorn Apornpong

Category Research

Concept Polypharmacy

Concept Frailty

Concept People Living with HIV

Concept Older Adults

Concept Non-ART Medication

Distinguished Non-Finalist

Presenter Organization Medical College of Wisconsin

Presenting Author Jennifer A. Woodard

Track Geriatrics

Keywords

polypharmacy

frailty

older adults

people living with HIV

Thailand

cross-sectional study

medication burden

Fried frailty phenotypes

deprescribing

HIV-negative comparison

Polypharmacy

Frailty

People Living with HIV

Older Adults

Non-ART Medication