Does age influence the frequency of anxiety symptoms and disorders in HIV disease?

The current study examined the individual and combined effects of age and HIV serostatus on anxiety symptoms and diagnoses among a community sample. Participants included 163 older (50+ years) HIV+ persons, 113 younger (<40) HIV+ persons, 95 older HIV-persons, and 75 younger HIV-persons who completed the Profile of Mood States and the Composite International Diagnostic Interview as part of a baseline neuroAIDS research assessment. Results showed that HIV infection was associated with significantly higher rates of anxiety symptoms as well as 12-month and lifetime diagnoses of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) and Panic Disorder (PD). There was no significant effect of age and no significant interaction between HIV serostatus and age; however, Older HIV+ participants were significantly older at onset of anxiety diagnoses as compared to their younger HIV+ counterparts. Among both older and younger HIV+ participants, there were high rates of comorbidity between anxiety disorders and Major Depressive and methamphetamine use disorders. Across the lifespan, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders interacted with 12-month anxiety disorders to increase risk of poorer everyday functioning outcomes. Overall, these data suggest that HIV disease and its comorbidities are related to elevated anxiety symptoms and diagnoses in both younger and older adults.