Risk factors for death among patients in French Guiana: 1996-2005

Abstract

Risk factors for death in an HIV-infected cohort in French Guiana were studied in 1374 patients between 1996 and 2005. Of these patients, 48.5% were male and 76% were immigrants. Covariates were measured at the time of consultation. There were 223 deaths. Addictions [adjusted hazard ratio (HR) =13; 95% confidence interval (CI) 5.5-30.6; P < 0.001], age >60 years (HR=1.5; 95% CI 0.9-2.5; P = 0.13), male gender (HR=1.5; 95% CI 1.03-2.5; P = 0.03) and CD4 count <50 cells/μL (HR=9.1; 95% CI 5.1-16.3; P <0.001) were independently associated with death. These results suggest that strategies promoting early diagnosis and better follow-up of addicted patients would have a significant impact on mortality. © 2007 British HIV Association.