Causes of death in HIV-infected persons who have tuberculosis, Thailand.
Up to 50% of persons with HIV and a diagnosis of tuberculosis (TB) in Thailand die during TB treatment. In a prospective observational study, a team of physicians ascribed the cause of death after reviewing verbal autopsies (interviews of family members about events preceding death), laboratory data, and medical records. Of 849 HIV-infected TB patients enrolled, 142 (17%) died. The cause of death was TB for 38 (27%), including 6 with multidrug-resistant TB and 20 with disseminated TB; an HIV-associated condition other than TB for 50 (35%); and a condition unrelated to TB or HIV for 22 (15%). Twenty-three patients (16%) were judged not to have had TB at all. Death from all causes except those unrelated to TB or HIV was less common in persons receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART). In addition to increasing the use of ART, death rates may be reduced through expanded use of modern TB diagnostic techniques.
Cain
Kevin P
KP
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, USA. kcain@cdc.gov
Anekthananon
Thanomsak
T
Burapat
Channawong
C
Akksilp
Somsak
S
Mankhatitham
Wiroj
W
Srinak
Chawin
C
Nateniyom
Sriprapa
S
Sattayawuthipong
Wanchai
W
Tasaneeyapan
Theerawit
T
Varma
Jay K
JK
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000995:Antitubercular Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002423:Cause of Death; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D009169:Mycobacterium tuberculosis / Q000187:drug effects; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D018088:Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality; D014397:Tuberculosis, Pulmonary / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000382:microbiology / Q000401:mortality*; D055815:Young Adult
D000995:Antitubercular Agents