Hepatitis B antibodies in HIV-infected homosexual men are associated with more rapid progression to AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
To study the influence of previous or present hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on HIV disease progression.


METHODS
A prospective study of HIV-positive individuals from HIV diagnosis to diagnosis of AIDS or to the end of the follow-up period on 1 January 1991. Mean follow-up time was 62 months.


METHODS
The study population was recruited from a primary health-care clinic for homosexual men and followed by linkage to the National AIDS Registry.


METHODS
Of 876 individuals who were tested for HIV, 80 were HIV-positive and included for study. Two individuals were lost to follow-up.


METHODS
Differences in progression rates to AIDS according to HBV status at study entry.


RESULTS
The adjusted relative risk of progression to AIDS for the 48 subjects who were HBV-antibody-positive at study entry was 3.6 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.3-10.1]. A high frequency of receptive anal intercourse was also associated with more rapid HIV disease progression; adjusted relative risk 2.6 (95% CI, 1.1-5.9).


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that presence of HBV antibodies is associated with more rapid HIV-disease progression.
Eskild
A
A
Department of Epidemiology, National Institute of Public Health, Oslo City, Norway.
Magnus
P
P
Petersen
G
G
Sohlberg
C
C
Jensen
F
F
Kittelsen
P
P
Skaug
K
K
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D000328:Adult; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000382:microbiology*; D006509:Hepatitis B / Q000150:complications; D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012725:Sexual Behavior
D006510:Hepatitis B Antibodies