BACKGROUND: As AIDS patients live longer, the management of co-morbidities becomes increasingly important. Previous studies from developed countries give conflicting results as to whether co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) lowers the life expectancy of individuals with AIDS. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was based on a medical record review of a nationally representative sample of 2821 adult AIDS cases diagnosed in 1995 and 1996 in Brazil. We compared the characteristics and survival of patients known to be positive and negative for HCV. RESULTS: A total of 833 patients received HCV testing, and the prevalence was 33%. HCV-positive patients received less intensive antiretroviral treatment. The crude mortality was greater for HCV-positive patients (hazard ratio 1.26; P = 0.04), but HCV status was not a significant predictor in a multivariate analysis that included other predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Brazilian AIDS patients with hepatitis C have a shorter survival than those without, but this seems to be mainly as a result of their receiving less antiretroviral treatment. We cannot say whether this is because of the fear of hepatotoxicity, an inability to tolerate treatment, or for other reasons. To improve survival, these patients need optimal treatment of their HIV disease.
BACKGROUND: As AIDSpatients live longer, the management of co-morbidities becomes increasingly important. Previous studies from developed countries give conflicting results as to whether co-infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) lowers the life expectancy of individuals with AIDS. METHODS: This retrospective cohort study was based on a medical record review of a nationally representative sample of 2821 adult AIDS cases diagnosed in 1995 and 1996 in Brazil. We compared the characteristics and survival of patients known to be positive and negative for HCV. RESULTS: A total of 833 patients received HCV testing, and the prevalence was 33%. HCV-positive patients received less intensive antiretroviral treatment. The crude mortality was greater for HCV-positive patients (hazard ratio 1.26; P = 0.04), but HCV status was not a significant predictor in a multivariate analysis that included other predictors of survival. CONCLUSION: Brazilian AIDSpatients with hepatitis C have a shorter survival than those without, but this seems to be mainly as a result of their receiving less antiretroviral treatment. We cannot say whether this is because of the fear of hepatotoxicity, an inability to tolerate treatment, or for other reasons. To improve survival, these patients need optimal treatment of their HIV disease.
Authors: Julio Sampaio; Carlos Brites; Iguaracyra Araujo; Carlos E Bacchi; Dirk P Dittmer; Paula Y Tanaka; William Harrington; Eduardo M Netto Journal: Curr Opin Oncol Date: 2007-09 Impact factor: 3.645
Authors: Alicia C Thornton; Sophie Jose; Sanjay Bhagani; David Chadwick; David Dunn; Richard Gilson; Janice Main; Mark Nelson; Alison Rodger; Chris Taylor; Elaney Youssef; Clifford Leen; Mark Gompels; Stephen Kegg; Achim Schwenk; Caroline Sabin Journal: AIDS Date: 2017-11-28 Impact factor: 4.177