Non-AIDS-defining deaths and immunodeficiency in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy.
OBJECTIVE
To assess whether immunodeficiency is associated with the most frequent non-AIDS-defining causes of death in the era of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).


METHODS
Observational multicentre cohorts.


METHODS
Twenty-three cohorts of adults with estimated dates of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroconversion were considered. Patients were seroconverters followed within the cART era. Measurements were latest CD4, nadir CD4 and time spent with CD4 cell count less than 350 cells/microl. Outcomes were specific causes of death using a standardized classification.


RESULTS
Among 9858 patients (71 230 person-years follow-up), 597 died, 333 (55.7%) from non-AIDS-defining causes. Non-AIDS-defining infection, liver disease, non-AIDS-defining malignancy and cardiovascular disease accounted for 53% of non-AIDS deaths. For each 100 cells/microl increment in the latest CD4 cell count, we found a 64% (95% confidence interval 58-69%) reduction in risk of death from AIDS-defining causes and significant reductions in death from non-AIDS infections (32, 18-44%), end-stage liver disease (33, 18-46%) and non-AIDS malignancies (34, 21-45%). Non-AIDS-defining causes of death were also associated with nadir CD4 while being cART-naive or duration of exposure to immunosuppression. No relationship between risk of death from cardiovascular disease and CD4 cell count was found though there was a raised risk associated with elevated HIV RNA.


CONCLUSIONS
In the cART era, the most frequent non-AIDS-defining causes of death are associated with immunodeficiency, only cardiovascular disease was associated with high viral replication. Avoiding profound and mild immunodeficiency, through earlier initiation of cART, may impact on morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected patients.
Marin
Benoît
B
INSERM, U897, Bordeaux, France
Thiébaut
Rodolphe
R
Bucher
Heiner C
HC
Rondeau
Virginie
V
Costagliola
Dominique
D
Dorrucci
Maria
M
Hamouda
Osamah
O
Prins
Maria
M
Walker
Sarah
S
Porter
Kholoud
K
Sabin
Caroline
C
Chêne
Geneviève
G
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007108:Immune Tolerance; D008107:Liver Diseases / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality; D055815:Young Adult