Evaluation of intrinsic capacity impairment and associated factors in older people living with HIV in China

BACKGROUND: Although intrinsic capacity (IC) has been evaluated among community-dwelling older people, IC among older people living with HIV (PLHIV) remains underexplored. This study investigated IC impairment and associated factors in older PLHIV in mainland China. METHODS: This cross-sectional study, conducted in China, enrolled older PLHIV aged ≥50 years. IC was assessed using detailed scales covering the domains of locomotion, vitality, cognition, psychology, and sensory capacity. Logistic regression analyses were used to explore the determinants of IC impairment in this population. RESULTS: Among 830 participants, 26.4 % (219/830) had impairment in at least one domain. A higher risk of IC impairment was associated with age ≥ 70 years (OR 2.44, 95 % CI 1.56-3.81), living with family members (OR 1.83, 95 % CI 1.24-2.69), being overweight or obese (OR 1.45, 95 % CI 1.03-2.04), impaired family function (OR 2.46, 95 % CI 1.65-3.66), and a high level of loneliness (OR 1.52, 95 % CI 1.04-2.24). In contrast, participants who were less likely to have IC impairment included those with an average monthly income ≥5000 RMB (OR 0.52, 95 % CI 0.32-0.86), those who exercised more than twice per week (OR 0.59, 95 % CI 0.42-0.82), and those with a baseline CD4⁺ T cell count ≥200 cells/μL (OR 0.70, 95 % CI 0.50-0.98). CONCLUSION: It is evident that some PLHIV are experiencing impairments across various domains. Formulating policies to support early preventive interventions and to provide timely medical intervention when needed is essential for promoting healthy ageing among older PLHIV.