[Profiles of multiple causes of death related to HIV/AIDS in the cities of São Paulo and Santos, Brazil, 2001].

Following the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), the HIV-related morbidity-mortality profile has changed. Opportunistic infections are not as prevalent as before, and "pre-AIDS" diseases have become more common, related mostly to the side effects of HAART. This study focused on HIV/AIDS-related mortality, based on multiple causes of death among individuals who died of HIV-related causes in the cities of São Paulo and Santos, Brazil, in 2001. Grade of Membership (GoM) analysis was used. Three mortality profiles were detected: (1) causes of death normally observed before the introduction of HAART, marked by opportunistic infections; (2) causes of death with mixed characteristics, both pre- and post-HAART; and (3) a residual profile, which did not contemplate HIV disease, but incorporated causes of death associated with the pre and post-HAART periods. It is hoped that the current study will contribute to the understanding of the HIV/AIDS morbidity-mortality scenario and help improve the treatment and care provided by public health services.