Trends in AIDS Defining Illnesses in British Columbia
Author Information
Author(s): Jafari Siavash, Chan Keith, Aboulhosn Kewan, Yip Benita, Lima Viviane D, Hogg Robert S, Montaner Julio, Moore David M
Primary Institution: University of British Columbia
Hypothesis
Are declines in AIDS-defining illnesses contributing to improvements in life expectancy among HAART patients in British Columbia since 1996?
Conclusion
There have been no significant changes in the incidence of AIDS-defining illnesses among individuals receiving HAART in British Columbia over the study period.
Supporting Evidence
- The proportion of individuals with reported ADIs did not change significantly over the study period.
- Individuals initiating HAART during 2002-04 had an increased risk of ADIs compared to those who started in 1996-98.
- The median follow-up time for all patients was 53 months.
Takeaway
The number of people getting sick from AIDS-related illnesses hasn't really changed much since 1996, even though people are living longer with HIV.
Methodology
The study analyzed trends in reported AIDS-defining illnesses among HAART-naïve individuals aged ≥ 18 years who initiated treatment in British Columbia from 1996 to 2007.
Potential Biases
There is a risk of underreporting of ADIs, particularly in later time periods, which could bias results.
Limitations
The small number of reported ADIs limited the ability to detect significant changes, and there may be underreporting of ADIs by physicians.
Participant Demographics
81% male, median age varied by time period, median baseline CD4 count was 190 cells/μL.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.181
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.04-2.32
Statistical Significance
p = 0.181
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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