Implementing routine physical function screening among elderly HIV-positive patients in Uganda

ABSTRACT

We conducted a cross-sectional study to describe routine physical function assessment for HIV-infected adults aged ≥60 years attending a large urban HIV clinic in Kampala, Uganda. Assessed demographic and clinical factors associated with low physical function in the population, generalized linear regression model was used to estimate factors associated with low physical function. Of the 93 elderly patients that underwent the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB) assessment, 43/93 (44.1%) scored 1–8 points at the SPPB evaluation and were categorized as low function, 45/93 (48.4%) scored 9–11 points and were categorized as moderate function and 7/93 (7.5%) scored 12 points and were categorized as high (normal) function. Women (adjusted risk ratio (ARR) 2.57; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.54–4.29, p = 0.000) had increased risk of low physical function compared to men. A one-year increase in age (ARR = 1.09; CI: 1.03–1.15, p = 0.004) and being overweight (BMI > 25.0, ARR = 1.96; CI: 1.89–3.24, p = 0.008) also carried an increased risk of low physical function status. A higher number 13/41(32%) of falls was recorded in female than among male 3/53(5.8%) patients (p = 0.001). The SPPB assessment is a starting point for clinicians to comprehensively evaluate and consider the management of physical function limitation among older HIV-positive patients.

KEYWORDS:

• HIV
• elderly patients
• physical function
• sub-Saharan Africa

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Geraldine Kissa, Ritah Nakijoba and Florence Aber for performing the study procedures. The funder had no role in design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or writing of the manuscript. The authors had final responsibility for the decision to submit for publication.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Data availability statement

The dataset used during this study may be made available, from the corresponding author upon reasonable request through email to [email protected].

Additional information

Funding

Received partial support from Fogarty International Center, National Institutes of Health (grant #D43 TW009771; “HIV co-infections in Uganda: TB, Cryptococcus, and Viral Hepatitis”).