Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

red ribbon via Shutterstock
antiretroviral

Death rates for HIV-positive adults have halved

However, the risk of death from non-AIDS cancers remained stable.

THE DEATH RATE among HIV-positive adults from AIDS-related causes has halved over the past decade, new research shows.

However, the risk of dying from a non-AIDS cancer has remained stable.

The research, published today in The Lancet, covered 50,000 HIV-positive adults across Europe, the United States, and Australia in receipt of antiretroviral therapy (ART).

The mortality rate decreased from 17.5 deaths per 1000 person-years in 1999-2000 to 9.1 deaths in 2009-2011.

Decreases were recorded in deaths related to AIDS (5.9 to 2.0), liver disease (2.7 to 0.9), and cardiovascular disease (1.8 to 0.9).

The reason for the latter two decreases can not be pinned down, but researchers believe it may be due to better management of traditional risk factors like smoking and drinking, or less-toxic ART treatment.

Non-AIDs related cancer continues to be main cause of deaths, accounting for 23%.

Study leader Dr Colette Smith from University College London said the study provides “further evidence” for the benefits of ART treatment.

“But despite these positive results,” she said, “AIDS-related disease remains the leading cause of death in this population.”

“Continued efforts to ensure good ART adherence and to diagnose more individuals at an earlier stage before the development of severe immunodeficiency are important to ensure that the low death rate from AIDS is sustained and potentially decreased even further.”

Read: Baby ‘cured’ of HIV has relapsed >

Panti: “As someone who is HIV positive, I would encourage everybody to get tested” >

Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone...
A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

Your Voice
Readers Comments
10
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.
    JournalTv
    News in 60 seconds