University of Hawaii researchers say they’re finding higher rates of diabetes, heart disease, dementia and cancer among people over 40 years old with HIV.

Dr. Cecilia Shikuma, director for the Hawaii Center for AIDS, said 56 percent of the local HIV-infected population over age 40 shows early signs of hardening of the arteries.

Another 54 percent have some memory problems, and 27 percent have evidence of diabetes or pre-diabetes.

Shikuma said aging immune systems lead to these types of health complications, and HIV may cause the immune system to age more rapidly.