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.

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Previous Comments:

kiidphr3sh, New York, BK, 2009-11-06 18:08:57
I have recently be diagnosed as of yesterday to have HIV since yesterday I have been googling everything trying to find out what's going on with me since then I have cried and asked god why me but since reading this post I feel a lot better in being able to deal with my sickness my family had been a big support 2 me and yall positive stories have really helped me im just really nervous about the medicines and their side effects anybody got any advice for me?

Dave, Nashville, 2009-10-13 10:03:31
God is in control. I found out I was positive in 1990. I have had t cell count to drop to 10 twice. I have been on meds since 1990, except for a 4 yr absence. I am active, my count stays at 100 or lower now, but the viral load is 0. Be encouraged. I'm a 27 yr. survivor. God is in control!

saeli, Kabwe, 2009-09-02 04:07:26
The news give hope and peace to us who are on treatment.We are encouraged to read and see people live their lives in full and purposelly.The reaseachers should be given the support and information they need to bring the information to those who need it most. Living with the virus and knowing that you can see your children grow is enjoying life indeed.

VIONNETTE, MIAMI, 2009-08-30 19:08:24
My daughter is presently 26 yrs. old, she contracted HIV at the age of 14. In the past five years she has not been keeping up with her meds. In the past 3 days she has been suffering from what i believe is Dementia. When i speak with her, she will ask the same questions over and over again after a 30 minute conversation. She says she is not really taking her meds because they make her throw up. She lives in Atlanta and I in Miami. What can I do? What should her husband tell her physician to do?

steven s, el paso tx, 2009-08-29 17:22:41
ive been positive for 3 years and like everyone else iam afriad of the unknown but the higher power above and the love from my wife and family keeps me going stay strong and keep praying for a cure

marcus mceachern, , 2009-07-30 23:04:40
you know one thing hiv pos people have in common with hiv neg people, we are both going to die someday! 'attitude is everything, live on! god is in control!

Tom, Nairobi Area, 2009-07-28 10:36:18
I was diagnosed hiv pos in 2008 and immediately i had TB as well my cd count was 65, but by my family supportig me ave made tremendous improvement am on effivarence , stavudine and lamivudine so far I take everything at a day , knowin that there will be a cure and finally that God is always in charg of live in general

Christopher, Palm Springs, 2009-07-06 22:23:16
READING These comments makes me want to so here you are-I have been poz since '89. Started meds in '92. Now I take 3, norvir, truvada and reyataz. I have 750cd 0 viral.I also take antideprssent cymbalta and lamictal. And daily vitamin, I eat pretty well,meat, fish, chicken,vegetables, 1 ensure a day. I am 175lbs. Throughout the years I have battled alcoholism and depression. I try to stay sober and I am in therapy for my depression. 3yr relationship. Healthy so far.

tracy, johannesburg, 2009-06-02 05:32:53
I have started taking arvs in 2003 and my CD4 was 235 and now my CD4 is 1500 and viral load is undetectable. I try to eat healthy, i exercise and i believe that i will live for a very long time. How long do you think i will live? south africa

Bob, Indianapolis, 2009-05-31 16:44:43
I probably became poz in the mid to late 80's and when I first started taking meds (20+) pills a day was very brutal to comply. Now 1 pill a day in the evening. I have had one symptom (shingles), but it wasn't too bad. Doing well and faithful to take meds, see the doctor, eat right and exercise....and stay positive about all of life. This is now a manageable disease!

MB.ergete, Addis Ababa, 2009-05-30 11:16:13
I am +ve since 2002,my first medc failed on 2007 and now I am on the 2nd line taking Kaletra, Viread and Lamuvidin, do you think I have a chance to live, if this medicine failed to work?

Pauline, illinois, 2009-05-21 11:21:53
Im not afraid of when ill die it could be tomorow heck i could die today it is a little comforting to know that they have come up with a idea of the life expectancy. I was one of the ones who was an iv drug user im proud to say i have 2 yrs clean and i take my meds and am doing great i just keep living for today cause tomorow is promised to no one.

jake skii, baltimore, 2009-05-20 16:53:14
I have been positive since 1999. I just started taking the medication atripla and in less than 3 months my viral load went from like 250,000 to undetectable and i have not had any side effects at all from the med my CD4 count was 680 before i started on the meds and now my CD4 is 780 im as healthy as a ox and i love to work out and enjoy life and so should you all this is not a death sentence just remember always put GOD first and he will handle the rest for you. good luck

Mike, Annandale, 2009-05-13 11:43:38
I was first diagnosed at 49 years old with AIDS and PCP in Dec 2002. I started treatment in Jan 2003 with a CD4 count of 120. Six years later my CD4 is 518 and Undetectable. However, the related gastrointestinal , colon problems, memory, concentration issues, depression and severe arthritis cause me problems daily. Things are not easy, but livable. I have heard due to my starting treatment late in the disease, I have lost many years. However, I still hope to live until at least my mid 70

Liquidsky, Orlando, 2009-05-13 10:44:00
You guys are missing the point...This is fantastic news! Can you just imagine how far the Meds will come in the the next ten years? Don't be surprised to see a cure. Gosh, starting at 20 and living to 70 would have been such wonderful news to those who did not have access to the treatment in the 80's. Stop being so negative thinkers...this news is FANTASTIC. I have been on Atripla since 05. I'm now 43 and have not had ONE side effect and my VL is undetectable and my TCELL are 780.