July 28, 2008

Life Expectancy With HIV Increases Dramatically

A 20-year-old HIV-positive person starting antiretroviral (ARV) therapy today can expect to live, on average, to the age of 69, according to new calculations published July 26 in The Lancet. The study authors say this is a life expectancy increase of 37 percent over projections for 20-year-olds starting ARVs during the early years of combination treatment. 
 
HIV-positive people have frequently asked their health care providers how long they will live with the virus, especially with so many effective ARV options to choose from. Few studies have attempted to answer this question-until now.

To determine life expectancy among HIV-positive patients, an international roster of researchers joined forces and reviewed the medical records of more than 43,000 people living with the virus in the United States, Canada and several European countries. The study participants were split into three groups: 18,587 people who started ARV treatment between 1996 and 1999, 13,914 who started treatment between 2000 and 2002, and 10,854 people who started treatment between 2003 and 2005.

The researchers predicted that a 20-year-old person starting ARV treatment between 1996 and 1999, the early years of combination ARV therapy, could be expected to live an additional 36 years, to the age of 56. This increased significantly, however, as time passed. A 20-year-old who started treatment between 2003 and 2005 was expected to live an additional 49 years, to the age of 69.

The average life expectancy for a 20-year-old who remains HIV negative, at least in industrialized nations, is an additional 60 years—with death occurring, on average, at the age of 80.

HIV-positive people who didn't start ARV treatment until their CD4s dropped to 100 were expected to live 10 fewer years than people who started therapy when their CD4s were above 200. The authors also determined that HIV-positive people with a history of injection drug use were expected to live 10 fewer years than those who never used injection drugs.

In a letter in The Lancet commenting on the study, David Cooper, MD, from the University of New South Wales in Sydney, questions whether starting ARV treatment even earlier, at a CD4 count above 500 for instance, may bring life expectancy even closer to normal. Dr. Cooper hopes that the international Strategic Timing of Anti-Retroviral Treatment (START) clinical trial, which is investigating earlier initiation of ARV treatment, will provide the answer.

Results from a larger European study, reported at the 17th Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in February 2010, also suggest 'near normal' survival among people living with HIV who keep their CD4 counts above 500 cells for at least three years.

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Previous Comments:

Leo, Lagos,Nigeria, 2010-09-04 21:00:05
I'm 21years old & I only found out I was positive a few days ago.Thankfully,i'm told i'll be given the meds free...u almost dont see anything free in most African countries.Though i blame my careless stupid self but i realise there's no way to go but forward&we can only pray that these some scholars brilliant mind will soon cook up the formular to finally end this thing.And my mom's one of the several myopic people who believe anyone with hiv is a goner...i just hope i dont get sick cos i'll lose everything. i'll take my cd and vl counts asap

Opso, , 2010-08-31 03:50:32
You who are worried if you can afford hiv-medication in the future, you should move to Finland. Here the government pays for all the meds. I can't believe you are let to die if you can't get an insurance. That's just not right.

Fredd, Colombia, 2010-08-18 22:17:07
I am very worried because having to start a medication I cannot pay for in the future. Is it meaning I cannot travel to another countries for better jobs to be able to pay my medicines. I have a study loan and I have to pay it, additionally I have to pay my meds, so my life style will be very poor, this means bad quality food and house... So...

Pat Johnson, Austin, 2010-08-16 02:17:37
I been poz for 28 years now, didn't start any meds until 2001 when CD4 count was zero. I am 54 years old, have excellent healthcare and medicare, each day is a blessing and I plan to be here another 50 years if my liver can hold up.

Jeremy Verrette, denham springs, 2010-08-11 15:15:32
Hiv meds are really expensive!! I make pretty good money but even so who can afford $50 a pill? I work contract work so it is hard to maintain insurance dealing with cobra between jobs. Is there any insurance carriers out there that I can turn too or maybe apply for assisstance. I find it very unfair that many people get the meds for free who don't have jobs and I am penalized for being a productive citizen. I am obviously not looking for a free ride but $1400 a month is more than a house note.

brandon, Shakopee mn, 2010-08-02 18:44:59
27 have been poz since late 07 no ARV's cd4's in the lower 700's and vl is 150, let's just hope making health wise decisions and vitamins will keep me off meds for a couple more years.

Joshua H, Albuquerque NM, 2010-07-14 13:40:20
I am one of the lucky ones. I had a cd4 count of 69 and a viral load through the roof. I am now undetectable and my cd4 is almost 600. I feel sad though, that someone like me who got HIV from being careless and reckless is getting all his medicine paid for, while children in Africa who did nothing but be born have hardly a chance to eat, let a lone get their ARV's. Count your blessings people and really realize how good America has it. I would have been dead any other place.

NOT ANOTHER MINUTE, FORT LAUDERDALE, 2010-06-26 23:37:17
It is so strange how negative people just assume positive people will die before them. I have been taking meds since 2006; Reyataz, Truvada, Norvir, Ambien and multi vitamin. CD4 650 vL undetectable and I feel good. Thank God for that; I listen to my doctor because I pay to much money not to. We will all be around for a long long time.

David, Myrtle Beach, SC, 2010-06-25 21:00:02
I agree with Dave in Nashville that God is in control. My CD4 count will not climb beyond 68 and that scares me to death. I have an undetectable viral load however. No OIs, and I owe that to God watching over me.

Brian J, SUPPLY,N.C., 2010-05-29 02:01:55
I'm 43&feel about 63,my late wife&Itraced our infetion to 1989 butdidn't find out till late2000 I'VE had my cd4 drop to 55 but it's been in the 550 range for the last few yrs.I was on combovire&crixivan for almost 7yrs gave up meds for a year after my wife died,it took the help of my family an moore importantley willing ness to accept it,part of witch mentleaving NYC &people ,places&things I,m just tired&have half the energy&strenth Ihad a year ago.I'M on NORVIR REYATAZ,ZIAGEN&ZIDOVINE

ward wilson, miami,fla, 2010-03-04 13:16:40
I'm 69 and my interest is what was the principle cause of dearh. I have heart palpatations and severe fatigue.

A New Day, Miami, 2010-02-17 15:01:55
I'm 55 yrs old diagnoses with AIDS 1994.I was ready to go Right now I feel like I'm a survivor I'm undetectable and my cd4 over 245. Feel great living the present like will be no tomorrow.God is in control.eat good workout 4 times a week and smile a lot

Yinegal, bahirdar, 2010-02-09 03:03:22
I hpope it will not be to far a +ve person will be cured and live life long like the normal .perhaps 2010 will be the end of the missery.

Kike, Mexico, 2010-01-02 21:28:16
Yes. No doubt about it. But what about in third world countries? Sadly, these good news are for people living in the US and other first world countries.

DINEO, mpumalanga, 2009-12-09 13:58:48
this article has inspired me o lot because i always questioned my life expetancy im 27yrs old i was even afraid to start a family because i would not want to die and leave my young baby but now i have hope.