A systematic review of engagement in care and health care utilization among older adults living with HIV and non-communicable diseases

It is critical to understand health care engagement and utilization among older persons living with HIV (OPWH) who may have greater burden for non-communicable diseases. Following the PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review using 5 electronic databases was conducted to appraise and synthesize the current literature on the relationship of non-communicable diseases on engagement in care and health care utilization among OPWH. Original studies published in English between 2009 and 2019 were included, yielding 16 relevant articles. Overall, having co-morbid non-communicable diseases was associated with a decreased likelihood of initiating and adhering to ART. Being on ART and viral suppression were associated with better engagement in non-communicable disease care. Findings also suggest that an increasing number of co-morbidities is associated with higher health care utilization and financial burden. This review underscores the need for preventing and managing co-morbidities to enhance engagement in HIV care and that health care practitioners need to ensure that OPWH are engaged in care for both HIV and their co-morbid conditions by providing coordinated and integrated care.