People with HIV aged 50 years and above face significantly more physical, psychosocial, and sexual health challenges than people without HIV, with distinct patterns of disparity observed between men and women.
Key Findings
Results
HIV was associated with higher odds of liver disease in both men and women with HIV compared to people without HIV.
Cross-sectional study comparing 322 men and 67 women with HIV to 15,548 men and 13,926 women without HIV
Data drawn from the SHARE study (2021–2022) and the nationally representative Project SEXUS cohort study in Denmark
Sex-stratified logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic and other confounding factors were used
Liver disease association held across both sexes after adjustment
Results
Cardiovascular and lung diseases were more commonly reported in men with HIV compared to men without HIV.
The association with cardiovascular and lung diseases was specific to men and not observed in women with HIV
Findings were derived from validated patient-reported outcome measures
Adjustments were made for sociodemographic and other confounding factors in sex-stratified logistic regression models
Results
Osteoporosis and hypertension were more commonly reported in women with HIV compared to women without HIV.
These associations were sex-specific, observed in women but not highlighted in men
The study included 67 women with HIV and 13,926 women without HIV
Patient-reported outcome measures were used to assess these conditions
Results
Men with HIV more often reported depressive symptoms or a history of treatment for anxiety compared to men without HIV.
Psychosocial health outcomes were assessed using validated patient-reported outcome measures
This finding was specific to men; women with HIV showed different psychosocial disparities
Models adjusted for sociodemographic and other confounding factors
Results
Women with HIV more often reported loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and domestic abuse compared to women without HIV.
These psychosocial outcomes were specific to women with HIV and distinct from psychosocial disparities found in men with HIV
The study included 67 women with HIV and 13,926 women without HIV for comparison
Findings were based on validated patient-reported outcome measures with sex-stratified adjusted logistic regression
Results
People with HIV more often reported reduced sexual desire and activity compared to people without HIV.
Reduced sexual desire and activity were observed across both men and women with HIV
Sexual health outcomes were assessed using validated patient-reported outcome measures
The study population was restricted to individuals aged 50 years and above
Results
Men with HIV more often reported erectile dysfunction or orgasmic dysfunction compared to men without HIV.
These sexual health disparities were sex-specific, identified only in men with HIV
322 men with HIV were compared to 15,548 men without HIV
Sex-stratified logistic regression models adjusting for sociodemographic and other confounding factors were applied
Results
Women with HIV more often reported lubrication dysfunction or genital pain dysfunction compared to women without HIV.
These sexual health disparities were specific to women with HIV
67 women with HIV were compared to 13,926 women without HIV
Findings were based on validated patient-reported outcome measures within sex-stratified adjusted models
Results
People with HIV were more likely to report being single and having non-Danish parentage compared to people without HIV.
These sociodemographic differences were observed across the full study sample of PWH (322 men and 67 women)
Sociodemographic factors including relationship status and parentage were adjusted for in regression models
Data were collected between 2021 and 2022 as part of the nationwide SHARE study
What This Means
This research suggests that people living with HIV who are aged 50 and older experience substantially more health problems across multiple areas of life compared to people of the same age who do not have HIV. The study, conducted in Denmark, compared hundreds of people with HIV to tens of thousands of people without HIV, examining their physical health, mental and social wellbeing, and sexual health using standardized questionnaires. It found that HIV was linked to higher rates of liver disease in both men and women, while heart and lung diseases were more common specifically in men with HIV, and osteoporosis and high blood pressure were more common specifically in women with HIV.
The mental and social health findings also differed by sex: men with HIV were more likely to report depression or a history of anxiety treatment, while women with HIV were more likely to report loneliness, suicidal thoughts, and domestic abuse. In terms of sexual health, people with HIV of both sexes more often reported reduced sexual desire and activity. Men with HIV more frequently reported erectile and orgasmic difficulties, while women with HIV more often reported problems with lubrication and genital pain. People with HIV were also more likely to be single and to have non-Danish backgrounds.
This research suggests that older adults living with HIV face a complex and wide-ranging set of health challenges that go well beyond the virus itself. The findings highlight that healthcare for aging people with HIV may need to address not just physical conditions but also mental health, social isolation, and sexual wellbeing, and that these needs may look quite different for men versus women. The authors emphasize that clinical attention to these health disparities is important for improving the overall quality of life of this growing population.
Scofield D, Frisch M, Andersson M, Storgaard M, Pedersen G, Johansen I, et al.. (2025). Physical, psychosocial and sexual health among people aged 50 years and above with and without HIV: a nationwide study.. AIDS (London, England). https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.0000000000004140