UC San Diego

Abstract: Objective: Investigate the discrepancy between subjective and chronologic age by HIV-serostatus, and the association of this discrepancy with subjective neurocognitive functioning (NCF) and objective NCF. Methods: One hundred nineteen persons living with HIV (PWLH) and 98 HIV-uninfected (HIV-) adults (Mage = 50.9; SDage = 7.9) completed a comprehensive neurobehavioral battery. Subjective age was assessed using a single-item question (i.e., “how old do you feel?”). The difference between chronologic and subjective age resulted in subjective age discrepancy scores (SADS). Subjective NCF was measured using the Patient’s Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory; objective NCF was measured using global demographically-corrected T-scores. Linear regressions examined the association between subjective and objective NCF with SADS, covarying for significant PLWH and HIV- group differences (i.e., education, sex, ethnicity, and lifetime Major Depressive Disorder). Results: PLWH reported lower SADS (indicating closer correspondence between chronologic and subjective age) than their HIV- counterparts, who reported feeling much younger (p = .05; 95% CI: -5.4, .001). Among PLWH, better subjective NCF was significantly related to greater SADS (p = .0002; 95% CI: -.48, -.16). Objective NCF was not associated with SADS among persons with and without HIV. Conclusions: Adults without HIV reported feeling younger than their chronologic age, whereas PLWH felt significantly closer to their chronologic age. SADS were negatively associated with only subjective NCF, among only PLWH. This suggests perceived cognitive functioning has a greater impact on psychological well-being among this group. Future research is warranted to delineate the relationship between HIV, subjective neurocognition, and psychosocial factors related to daily functioning to improve successful aging outcomes among this vulnerable population.