Mortality in an urban cohort of HIV-infected and at-risk drug users in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy

Abstract

Background. Mortality trends among drug users in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) remain unclear. Methods. We examined mortality rates, causes of death, and predictors of mortality in 398 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected and 656 at-risk drug users for the period of 1996-2001. National death index reports were used to confirm deaths, and causes of death were derived from medical records. Cox proportional hazards models were used to determine factors associated with mortality. Results. During 1996-2001, mortality rates in HIV-infected and HIV-uninfected participants were 7.3 and 1.5 deaths per 100 person-years, respectively (P < .001). The mean age at the time of death was 43.6 years for HIV-infected subjects and 47.7 years in HIV-uninfected subjects (P