Clinical experience with human immunodeficiency virus-infected older patients in the era of effective antiretroviral therapy.

New therapies for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients suggest the need to examine whether these therapies are as effective in older patients as in younger patients. Fifty-two patients aged >/=50 years were compared with 52 patients aged <50 years for changes in CD4(+) counts, viral loads, opportunistic disease, hospitalizations, drug side effects, and death. No differences were found, except for higher rates of candidiasis in younger patients. Antiretroviral therapy seems to be equally effective in older and younger patients.