A recent study shows that adults with HIV in Malawi have over double the likelihood of developing dementia compared to non-HIV adults. The research emphasizes the need for healthcare improvements and tailored assessments to address dementia in resource-poor settings. This highlights an urgent demand for infrastructure that can manage dementia effectively among HIV-affected populations in Malawi.
A study by researchers from the U.S. and Malawi reveals that individuals living with HIV in Malawi are more than twice as likely to suffer from dementia than those without the virus. Published in the journal “Alzheimer’s and Dementia,” these findings highlight the substantial burden of dementia among the HIV population, particularly in low-resource settings where healthcare access is limited.
While effective antiretroviral therapy allows people with HIV to live longer, aging with the virus presents significant health challenges. HIV accelerates the risk of developing other age-related conditions such as diabetes and heart disease, and it is also linked to heightened dementia risk due to inflammation and other cerebral changes.
In Malawi, HIV remains a prominent health issue, with an estimated 8 to 12 percent of adults affected. Life expectancy has noticeably improved recently, increasing from a projected 45 years for children born in 2000 to 63 years for those born in 2021. However, with an aging population in sub-Saharan Africa, dementia cases are expected to rise sharply in the coming years.
Haeok Lee, lead author and professor at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing, noted the research gap in understanding dementia in low and middle-income countries. To investigate, researchers examined medical records from 400 adults, aged 30 and older, at an outpatient clinic in Lilongwe. Half of the participants were HIV-positive and receiving treatment, while the other half did not have HIV.
The study found that 22 percent of those with HIV had dementia, compared to 10 percent among non-HIV individuals. Although both groups saw increased dementia prevalence with age, the uptick was more pronounced in HIV-positive individuals, who were also diagnosed younger on average.
Depression emerged as a significant dementia risk factor in both groups, while unstable employment was noted specifically for those with HIV. The researchers cautioned against the limitations of their study, including reliance on paper charts, lack of standardized diagnostic criteria, and potentially underdiagnosed cases due to healthcare professional shortages in Malawi.
Jonathan Ngoma from the Malawi Ministry of Health emphasized the need for improved care strategies for dementia within low and middle-income countries, advocating for culturally appropriate cognitive assessment tools and treatment protocols tailored to local health systems. The study’s findings underscore the urgent requirement for developing infrastructure for dementia management in Malawi, especially for the HIV population.
This research will feature in a special issue of “Alzheimer’s and Dementia” devoted to dementia studies in Africa, showcasing collaboration across multiple institutions, including Kamuzu University of Health Sciences and Case Western Reserve University.
The study reveals a critical link between HIV and dementia risk in Malawi, highlighting the increased prevalence of dementia among those living with HIV. It stresses the necessity for improved healthcare infrastructure and resources to address dementia management in low-resource settings. A comprehensive approach that includes culturally tailored cognitive assessments and guidelines is crucial for supporting both HIV-positive and general populations in Malawi.
Original Source: www.nyu.edu
