Opportunistic diseases among HIV-infected patients: a multicenter-nationwide Korean HIV/AIDS cohort study, 2006 to 2013.
OBJECTIVE
The frequencies of opportunistic diseases (ODs) vary across countries based on genetic, environmental, and social differences. The Korean HIV/AIDS cohort study was initiated in 2006 to promote research on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in Korea, and to provide a logistical network to support multicenter projects on epidemiological, clinical, and laboratory aspects of HIV infection. This study evaluated the prevalence of ODs among HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy, and the risk factors associated with ODs.


METHODS
The study enrolled 1,086 HIV-infected patients from 19 hospitals. This study examined the baseline data of the HIV/AIDS Korean cohort study at the time of enrollment from December 2006 to July 2013.


RESULTS
Candidiasis was the most prevalent opportunistic infection (n = 176, 16.2%), followed by Mycobacterium tuberculosis infection (n = 120, 10.9%), Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (n = 121, 11.0%), cytomegalovirus infection (n = 52, 4.7%), and herpes zoster (n = 44, 4.0%). The prevalence rates of Kaposi's sarcoma (n = 8, 0.7%) and toxoplasmosis (n = 4, 0.4%) were very low compared with other countries. The risk factors for ODs were a low CD4 T cell count at the time of HIV diagnosis (odds ratio [OR], 1.01; p < 0.01), current smoking (OR, 2.27; p = 0.01), current alcohol use (OR, 2.57; p = 0.04), and a history of tuberculosis (OR, 5.23; p < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
Using recent Korean nationwide data, this study demonstrated that an important predictor of ODs was a low CD4 T cell count at the time of HIV diagnosis. Tuberculosis remains one of the most important ODs in HIV-infected patients in Korea.
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Youn Jeong
YJ
Kim
Department of Infectious Disease, Asan Medical Center, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jun Hee
JH
Woo
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Min Ja
MJ
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Dae Won
DW
Park
Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Joon-Young
JY
Song
Department of Internal Medicine, Kyungpook National University School of Medicine, Daegu, Korea.
Shin Woo
SW
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Jun Yong
JY
Choi
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
June Myung
JM
Kim
Department of Internal Medicine, Yonsei University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Sang Hoon
SH
Han
Department of Internal Medicine, Inha University School of Medicine, Incheon, Korea.
Jin-Soo
JS
Lee
Department of Preventive Medicine, Hanyang University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Bo Youl
BY
Choi
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
Joo Shil
JS
Lee
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
Sung-Soon
SS
Kim
Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Cheongju, Korea.
Mee-Kyung
MK
Kee
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Moon Won
MW
Kang
Division of Infectious Disease, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
Sang Il
SI
Kim
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012307:Risk Factors
AIDS-related opportunistic infections; HIV; Korea; Tuberculosis