A recent study by UNMC professor and HIV researcher, Dr. Howard Fox, and his collaborators, investigated something medical personnel have observed – that people with HIV seem to be getting age-related illnesses earlier than would be expected.
Using a DNA blood marker that can accurately predict age, discovered by one of Fox’s collaborators, they found cellular changes that may explain these age-related illnesses:
"There has been this theory in both the research and care community that there might be an accelerated aging with HIV infection, with treated HIV infection. And, indeed, it predicted a five-year increase in age among people with HIV. And so, it was really the first real way to quantify what people have been thinking, that, with HIV, people appear older.”
Fox says those who are HIV-positive should receive earlier screening for age-related illnesses such as osteoporosis, heart disease and liver problems.
He says the study also points to the need for these individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices about diet & exercise, as well as drug, alcohol and tobacco use -- which may help delay the onset of some of these illnesses.