SEFH works with patients to address the lived reality of people living with HIV.
The reality of patients with HIV, their life changes and the new approaches that the Pharmacy can offer were the topics on which the third webinar meeting of the SEFH Patient School was held last Tuesday, entitled: “Aging with HIV.”
The meeting discussed key topics such as frailty, polypharmacy, medication adherence, and the critical role of the pharmacist in improving health through integrated care. The meeting was attended by: Diego Garcia (peer educator Adhara Murcia), Joaquim Roqueta (member of the executive committee of CESIDA and president of the association GAIS POSITIUS), Ramon Morillo (pharmacist at the Ju de Valme Hospital, Seville) and Aguas Robustillo. (Pharmaceutical hospitalist at HU de Valme in Seville and coordinator of AFVIH-SEFH).
Aguas Robustillo, moderator of the session, emphasized the existence of different realities among older people living with HIV with special needs covering different aspects such as social, economic, psychological or pharmacotherapeutic. “From the hospital pharmacy We will do our best to adapt to this reality. “thanks to the new approaches to pharmaceutical care that we are developing.” Ramon Morillo, for his part, emphasized the role of FH in the aging of patients living with HIV infection: “It is the key to achieving health and well-being, requires the creation of a link of care that goes beyond the treatment provided in consultations“.
Patients’ opinions
Diego Garcia emphasized the importance of health-related social determinants (income level, mental health, social/family support, easy access to social and health resources, ease of movement, access to home care/monitoring) for healthy aging with HIV or any other disease . other chronic diseases requiring care. “The current situation of many people aging with HIV, with meager incomes and a healthcare system that This does not make it easier to care for people experiencing difficulties, but it results in large differences in how people age with HIV and in health outcomes.– he said.
For his part, Joaquim Roqueta explained that aging with HIV still poses many challenges today.”improved the length and quality of life of people living with HIV. The increase in the aging population with HIV leads to chronic age-related diseases associated with accelerated aging, heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and side effects of long-term treatment, as ART can contribute to damage to the liver, metabolism and cardiovascular system.
“In Spain, approximately 55% of people with HIV are over 50,” Roqueta continued. Social stigma also has an impact and can cause isolation. Although current ART regimens are easier to tolerate, less toxic than previous generations of regimens, and significantly improve adherence.“