Background Advances in antiretroviral therapy have resulted in more potent and safe drugs, with higher success rates due to improved adherence and better control of the HIV infection. Efforts to improve the control of HIV infection should be reflected in increased quality of life.

Purpose To analyse the health-related quality of life (HRQL) of HIV-infected patients over the age of 50 on antiretroviral treatment.

Materials and methods Cross sectional study. We included patients on antiretroviral treatment aged over 50 years. Study variables were collected at interview, in the clinical history and pharmacy records. Variables were: sex, age, CD4 count, viral load, antiretroviral treatment, adherence, comorbidities and quality of life. The HRQL was assessed through the ‘Medical Outcomes Study HIV Health Survey’ (MOS-HIV) questionnaire. The adherence was estimated using the SMAQ questionnaire.

Results The study included 70 patients, 81% were men, average age of 57 years old. Most of them presented CD4 >500 cells/mm³ and undetectable viral load. The most prescribed antiretrovirals were darunavir and tenofovir and 50% of patients were adherent. The most frequent comorbidities were: metabolic syndrome (36%), hypertension (30%) and hypercholesterolemia (37%). Concerning quality of life, social functioning obtained the highest score (mean 86) and general health perception the lowest score (mean 48). The average dimensions of HRQL in patients older than 60 years were higher than in patients aged 50–59, except in the physical functioning dimension, and the difference was significant in the dimensions pain, energy and health distress. Lower scores were observed in the patients using a protease inhibitor, with a significant difference in the dimensions general health perception (p = 0.024) and pain (p = 0.01).

Conclusions The general perception of health was the dimension with the worst score and social function the best. Patients aged over 60 have a better perceived quality of life than patients aged 50–59 years. The use of protease inhibitors was associated with worse quality of life.

No conflict of interest.