Examining the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and HIV treatment outcomes among older adults living with HIV: a systematic review

This systematic review aimed to assess the COVID-19 pandemic's impact on mental health and HIV treatment outcomes among older adults living with HIV (OALH). A comprehensive search was conducted for relevant studies in PubMed/Medline, Embase, Web of Science and PsycINFO using keywords related to COVID-19, HIV and psychosocial factors. Inclusion criteria encompassed studies written in English, empirical studies and focus on older adults or subgroup analyses by age. After screening, we retained four studies from 122 articles. Studies highlighted mental health challenges among OALH during COVID-19, including increased stress and fear, particularly regarding potential exposure to COVID, adapting to social isolation and financial concerns. Additionally, the pandemic adversely impacted HIV treatment outcomes, with reports of decreased HIV testing and ART initiation, challenges in maintaining ART adherence and increased missed appointments among older adults, despite telehealth efforts. Future research is essential to explore the long-term effects of COVID-19 on the psychosocial well-being of OALH.