Assessing the contributions of modifiable risk factors to serious falls and fragility fractures among older persons living with HIV.

Background: Although 50 years represents middle age among uninfected individuals, studies have shown that persons living with HIV (PWH) begin to demonstrate elevated risk for serious falls and fragility fractures in the sixth decade; the proportions of these outcomes attributable to modifiable factors are unknown.

Methods: We analyzed 21,041 older PWH on antiretroviral therapy (ART) from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study from 01/01/2010 through 09/30/2015. Serious falls were identified by Ecodes and a machine-learning algorithm applied to radiology reports.

Predictive Risk Model for Serious Falls Among Older Persons Living With HIV.

Background: Older (older than 50 years) persons living with HIV (PWH) are at elevated risk for falls. We explored how well our algorithm for predicting falls in a general population of middle-aged Veterans (age 45-65 years) worked among older PWH who use antiretroviral therapy (ART) and whether model fit improved with inclusion of specific ART classes.

Methods: This analysis included 304,951 six-month person-intervals over a 15-year period (2001-2015) contributed by 26,373 older PWH from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study who were taking ART.

Brief Report: Are Serious Falls Associated With Subsequent Fragility Fractures Among Veterans Living With HIV?

Background: The extensive research on falls and fragility fractures among persons living with HIV (PWH) has not explored the association between serious falls and subsequent fragility fracture. We explored this association.

Setting: Veterans Aging Cohort Study.

Serious Falls in Middle-Aged Veterans: Development and Validation of a Predictive Risk Model.

Background/objectives: Due to high rates of multimorbidity, polypharmacy, and hazardous alcohol and opioid use, middle-aged Veterans are at risk for serious falls (those prompting a visit with a healthcare provider), posing significant risk to their forthcoming geriatric health and quality of life. We developed and validated a predictive model of the 6-month risk of serious falls among middle-aged Veterans.

Design: Cohort study.

Polypharmacy, Hazardous Alcohol and Illicit Substance Use, and Serious Falls Among PLWH and Uninfected Comparators.

Background: Medication classes, polypharmacy, and hazardous alcohol and illicit substance abuse may exhibit stronger associations with serious falls among persons living with HIV (PLWH) than with uninfected comparators. We investigated whether these associations differed by HIV status.

Setting: Veterans Aging Cohort Study.