[Causes of death (1983-1997) in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus by contaminated blood coagulation factor products: report of the clinical study group on prevention and treatments of HIV infection].

Our group conducted a national survey of patients who had died of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) after being infected with human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) by contaminated blood coagulation factor products. A total of 1446 hospitals, clinics, and other health-care institutions throughout Japan were enrolled in the study, which was supported by the Japanese government Ministry of Health and Welfare with a health sciences grant for research on HIV/AIDS. Of the 1434 registered patients who had been infected with HIV-1 by contaminated blood coagulation factor products, 493 (34%) had died as of Oct. 30, 1997. Most were hemophiliacs. The average CD4+ cell count was 25/microliter for the 398 who died of complications from AIDS, compared to an average of 158/microliter for those who died of other causes. Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, cytomegalovirus infection, and atypical mycobacterial disease were the main causes of death in patients with AIDS. The annual death rate for AIDS patients in Japan dropped dramatically in 1997, 1 year later than a similar trend observed in the United States. The introduction and widespread adoption of new and effective drugs and treatment regimens for HIV-1 and opportunistic infections will be essential life-saving measures.