Increasing mortality due to end-stage liver disease in patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection

Clin Infect Dis. 2001 Feb 1;32(3):492-7. doi: 10.1086/318501. Epub 2001 Jan 23.

Abstract

Highly active antiretroviral therapy has decreased human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-associated mortality; other comorbidities, such as chronic liver disease, are assuming greater importance. We retrospectively examined the causes of death of HIV-seropositive patients at our institution in 1991, 1996, and 1998-1999. In 1998-1999, 11 (50%) of 22 deaths were due to end-stage liver disease, compared with 3 (11.5%) of 26 in 1991 and 5 (13.9%) of 36 in 1996 (P=.003). In 1998-1999, 55% of patients had nondetectable plasma HIV RNA levels and/or CD4 cell counts of >200 cells/mm(3) within the year before death. Most of the patients that were tested had detectable antibodies to hepatitis C virus (75% of patients who died in 1991, 57.7% who died in 1996, and 93.8% who died in 1998-1999; P=NS). In 1998-1999, 7 patients (31.8%) discontinued antiretroviral therapy because of hepatotoxicity, compared with 0 in 1991 and 2 (5.6%) in 1996. End-stage liver disease is now the leading cause of death in our hospitalized HIV-seropositive population.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Cause of Death*
  • Comorbidity
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / complications*
  • HIV Seropositivity / complications
  • Hepatitis C / complications*
  • Hepatitis C / diagnosis
  • Hepatitis C / mortality
  • Hospitalization
  • Humans
  • Liver Failure / etiology
  • Liver Failure / mortality*
  • Male
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Viral Load