Causes of death in hospitalised HIV-infected patients at a National Referral Centre in Singapore: a retrospective review from 2008 to 2010.
- Author:
Chen Seong WONG
1
;
Francis A LO
;
Philippe CAVAILLER
;
Oon Tek NG
;
Cheng Chuan LEE
;
Yee Sin LEO
;
Arlene C CHUA
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH: Anti-Retroviral Agents; therapeutic use; CD4 Lymphocyte Count; Cause of Death; trends; Female; HIV Seropositivity; drug therapy; epidemiology; mortality; Hospital Mortality; trends; Hospitalization; Humans; Male; Medical Audit; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Singapore; epidemiology
- From:Annals of the Academy of Medicine, Singapore 2012;41(12):571-576
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
INTRODUCTIONHighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has improved outcomes for individuals infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). This study describes the causes of death in hospitalised HIV-positive patients from 2008 to 2010 in Tan Tock Seng Hospital, the national referral centre for HIV management in Singapore.
MATERIALS AND METHODSData were retrospectively collected from HIV-positive patients who died in Tan Tock Seng Hospital from January 2008 to December 2010.
RESULTSSixty-seven deaths occurred in the study period. A majority of patients died of non-acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-defining illnesses (54.7%). The median CD4 count was 39.5 (range, 20.0 to 97.0), and 7 patients had HIV viral loads of <200 copies/mL. There were 27 deaths due to opportunistic infections, 27 due to non AIDS-defining infections, 4 due to non AIDS-associated malignancies. This study also describes 3 deaths due to cardiovascular events, and 1 due to hepatic failure. Patients who had virologic suppression were more likely to die from non AIDS-defining causes.
CONCLUSIONCauses of death in HIV-positive patients have changed in the HAART era. More research is required to further understand and address barriers to testing and treatment to further improve outcomes in HIV/AIDS.
