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Viruses
Special Issues
HIV in the Context of Chronic Disorders and Aging
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HIV in the Context of Chronic Disorders and Aging

A special issue of Viruses (ISSN 1999-4915). This special issue belongs to the section "Human Virology and Viral Diseases".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 July 2026 | Viewed by 1738

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Maria Mazzitelli

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Guest Editor
Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, University Hospital of Padova, 35128 Padova, Italy
Interests: HIV; ageing; polypharmacy; multimorbidity
Dr. Andrea De Vito

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Guest Editor
Department of Medicine, Surgery, and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
Interests: HIV; antimicrobial agents; antiretroviral therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Mattia Trunfio

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Guest Editor
Center for AIDS Research (CFAR), Division of Infectious Diseases and Global Health, University of California, San Diego, CA, USA
Interests: HIV; neurological complications; antiretroviral therapy
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue, HIV in the Context of Chronic Disorders and Aging, explores the multifaceted health challenges faced by people living with HIV (PWH) as they age. Thanks to antiretroviral therapy, HIV evolved from a fatal disease to a chronic condition, allowing people to live longer. However, with increased longevity comes a higher burden of comorbidities, including cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome, renal and hepatic dysfunction, osteoporosis, neurocognitive impairment, and cancer. This Special Issue also examines the complex interactions between HIV, chronic inflammation, immune senescence, and polypharmacy, which contribute to multimorbidity and frailty. Special attention is given to the impact of social determinants of health, stigma, and disparities in care that disproportionately affect aging PWH. This Special Issue will gather original research, reviews, and perspectives addressing clinical management, pathophysiology, and care models tailored to this evolving population. Ultimately, its aim is to inform multidisciplinary strategies to promote healthy aging and improve the quality of life for older PLWH in diverse settings.

Dr. Maria Mazzitelli
Dr. Andrea De Vito
Dr. Mattia Trunfio
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Viruses is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2600 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Research

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14 pages, 1048 KB  
Article
Antiretroviral Adherence and Use of Antihypertensives, Statins, and Antidiabetics Among Elderly People with HIV: A 5-Year Real-World Study in Southern Italy
by Pietro Trisolini, Simona Cammarota, Anna Citarella, Marianna Fogliasecca, Viviana Alicchio, Stefania Antonacci, Romina Giannini, Renato Lombardi, Mariantonietta Piccoli, Francesco Pomarico, Cataldo Procacci, Antonino Siniscalco, Stefania Spennato, Annalisa Saracino and Sergio Lo Caputo
Viruses 2025, 17(9), 1212; https://doi.org/10.3390/v17091212 - 5 Sep 2025
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Abstract
Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV into a chronic, manageable condition. This retrospective analysis of administrative data from Apulia (Southern Italy) covering 2018–2023 evaluated demographic changes, ART regimen trends, adherence, and the use of antihypertensives, statins, and antidiabetics among people with HIV [...] Read more.
Modern antiretroviral therapy (ART) has transformed HIV into a chronic, manageable condition. This retrospective analysis of administrative data from Apulia (Southern Italy) covering 2018–2023 evaluated demographic changes, ART regimen trends, adherence, and the use of antihypertensives, statins, and antidiabetics among people with HIV (PWH). Temporal trends were assessed using compound annual growth rate (CAGR). ART adherence was measured as proportion of days covered (PDC), categorized as <75%, 75–90%, and ≥90%. Over the study period, the proportion of PWH aged 18–54 declined, while those aged 55–64 and ≥65 increased (CAGRs: +10.9%, +14.3%). Use of single-tablet regimens rose from 45.1% to 79.6% (CAGR +12.1%), and integrase-based regimens increased from 52.0% to 69.0%, while protease inhibitor and multi-tablet regimens declined. Antihypertensives were the most prescribed concomitant drugs, followed by statins and antidiabetics (CAGRs: +5.8%, +9.7%, +9.5%). In 2023, 81.9% of subjects achieved PDC ≥ 90%, although lower adherence was observed in women and treatment-naïve individuals. These findings indicate a shift toward simplified, integrase-based regimens and high ART adherence, alongside a growing cardiometabolic burden. Tailored strategies are needed to support adherence, particularly in women and treatment-naïve individuals, and to address cardiovascular risk in aging PWH. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV in the Context of Chronic Disorders and Aging)
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Review

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20 pages, 475 KB  
Review
PROs Assessment in Dual (Either Oral or Injectable) Antiretroviral Regimen in People with HIV: A Narrative Review
by Maria Mazzitelli, Olivia Bargiacchi, Maria Aurora Carleo, Andrea Giacomelli, Camilla Muccini, Lucia Taramasso, Marcello Trizzino and Antonella Cingolani
Viruses 2026, 18(1), 7; https://doi.org/10.3390/v18010007 (registering DOI) - 19 Dec 2025
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Abstract
Background: With modern antiretroviral regimens, durable viral suppression is now achieved in most people with HIV (PWH), whose life expectancy approaches that of the general population. Consequently, recent guidelines emphasise, beyond virological and immunological control, health-related quality of life and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) [...] Read more.
Background: With modern antiretroviral regimens, durable viral suppression is now achieved in most people with HIV (PWH), whose life expectancy approaches that of the general population. Consequently, recent guidelines emphasise, beyond virological and immunological control, health-related quality of life and patient-reported outcomes (PROs) as targets of HIV care, including for dual regimens. Methods: We conducted a narrative review of clinical trials and observational studies evaluating PROs in adults treated with dual antiretroviral therapies, either oral or long-acting injectable. We also examined guideline documents and implementation studies addressing the role, feasibility, and interpretation of PROs in routine HIV care. Results: Trials of dual regimens reported high treatment satisfaction, convenience, and stable or improved quality of life, with some concerns related to injection-site reactions and visit burden for long-acting formulations. Emerging real-world data broadly confirm these findings but remain heterogeneous, with variability in instruments, assessment timing, and analytic approaches, limiting comparability and clinical use. Conclusions: PROs may support shared decision-making and optimise the use of dual therapies in PWH, but their uptake in clinical practice is still limited. Standardised tools, clearer interpretative frameworks, and pragmatic implementation strategies are needed to better integrate PROs into everyday HIV care. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue HIV in the Context of Chronic Disorders and Aging)
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