High frequency of poor locomotor performance in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

To provide up-to-date assessments of locomotor function in HIV-infected patients and to identify potential determinants of impaired function. Cross-sectional study in 324 HIV-1-infected adults from the French Agency for AIDS and Hepatitis Research (ANRS) CO3 Aquitaine Cohort using standardized locomotor tests. Patients underwent standardized testing assessing balance, walking ability, functional capacity and lower limb muscle performance. Poor test performance was defined by cut-offs based on age-specific data of the general population. Factors associated with poor test performance were studied by logistic regression. Median age was 48 years, 80% were men and 89% were on antiretroviral treatment. The most frequently altered locomotor test was the five-times sit-to-stand (5STS) test, assessing lower limb muscle performance (poor performance: 53%). In multivariable analysis, time since HIV diagnosis was associated with poor 5STS performance [odds ratio (OR) = 1.08 per year; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.03, 1.13]. In patients below 30 years, elevated BMI was associated with higher likelihood of good performance (OR = 0.81 per kg/m(2); 95% CI: 0.69, 0.93), whereas in those above 70 years this association was reversed (OR = 1.30 per kg/m(2); 95% CI: 1.10, 1.53; P < 10(-3) for interaction). We found no association with antiretroviral treatment. One of two adults with controlled HIV infection had poor lower limb muscle performance, which might put this population at risk of falls and fracture. The 5STS test is a simple test that should be recommended to assess muscular performance in HIV care.