Key result
Older age, walking difficulties, and anxiety are linked to worse cardiovascular health scores in HIV.
Why the study?
Cardiovascular health among people living with HIV is influenced by cardiometabolic, psychosocial, and functional factors, but multidimensional CVH-related profiles and their correlates have not been evaluated in this population in Panama.
Cross-Sectional (n=282)
Yes
Psychosocial and functional factors, such as anxiety, discrimination, and walking difficulties, are key correlates of lower multidimensional cardiovascular health profiles among people living with HIV in Panama, suggesting a need for integrated functional and mental health assessments.
Answers are grounded in this paper and cite their sources.
Supports anxiety and mobility screening in HIV care; leaves open whether interventions improve cardiovascular profiles.
Cardiovascular health (CVH) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) is influenced by cardiometabolic, psychosocial and functional factors. This study evaluated exploratory multidimensional CVH-related profiles and their demographic, functional and psychosocial correlates among PLHIV who attended two urban HIV clinics in Panama. We conducted a cross-sectional study among adults ≥ 18 years) who attended antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinics in two cities in Panama between August and October 2024. Two exploratory multidimensional CVH-related profile scores were constructed (unweighted and cardiovascular-weighted toward traditional cardiovascular disease factors) using cardiovascular, psychosocial, and HIV-related domains. Descriptive and multiple linear regression analyses examined associations with these profile scores. A total of 282 participants (mean age = 39.2 years) were included. Mean scores on a theoretical 0-100 scale were 70.3 for the unweighted CVH-related profile and 75.7 for the cardiovascular-weighted CVH-related profile. In adjusted models, age (β = –0.13, p = .028), walking difficulties (β = –0.16, p = .008), anxiety (β = –0.32, p < .001), and discrimination (β = –0.14, p = .022) were associated with a lower unweighted CVH-related profile score. In the cardiovascular-weighted profile, older age (β = –0.22, p < .001), walking difficulties (β = –0.21, p < .001), and anxiety (β = –0.26, p < .001) were associated with a lower profile score, while living with someone was associated with a higher profile score (β = 0.13, p = .026). Mobility limitations, anxiety, and discrimination were key correlates of lower multidimensional CVH-related profile scores among PLHIV, while living with someone was associated with higher cardiovascular-weighted profile score. The exploratory scores should not be interpreted as validated CVH or CVD risk measures. However, the findings highlight the relevance of integrating mental health, functional assessment, and social support within HIV care as PLHIV age in Panama.
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Gabster et al. (2026) conducted a cross-sectional in HIV (n=282). Psychosocial and functional stressors (anxiety, mobility limitations, discrimination) vs. Absence of respective stressors was evaluated on Cardiovascular-weighted CVH-related profile score (β = -0.26 (for anxiety), p=<0.001). Older age, walking difficulties, and anxiety were significantly associated with lower cardiovascular-weighted health profile scores among people living with HIV in Panama.
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