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:

GaryFred, Los Angeles, 2008-12-03 16:47:33
Could you perhaps address the life expcectancy for someone who started treatment in 1987 (AZT) and ARV in 1996 who is not 20 but started ARV when 50 yo.

GaryFred, Los Angeles, 2008-12-03 16:44:03
You people do a really fine job. I sometimes think you spend less time addressing issues for people who have been infected for a very long time (in my case since at least 1977, officially diagnosed in1984) than you do with newly infected people. However, I am grateful for AIDSmed. Thanks.

David, Philly, 2008-10-29 17:12:43
For those of you who haven't changed their diet & lifestyle since finding out, I've been poz for 7 months now and I changed my diet. I've been taking a supplement called Superfood and my cd-4 count continues to rise and my viral load is now undetectable. Not sure if it is that, but something is different. Not on meds yet. Check out Crossfit.com. It changed my life. My doc says I have the good HIV. I hope so. Eat healthy & workout. Elimate bad people in your life.

K.R., Philadelphia, 2008-10-29 16:45:43
I have been diagnosed with HIV for 7 months now. My viral load is undetectable. I am not on any meds at this time. My CD4 count is 695. I was told that your CD4 count is only a good indication of your health in combination with your viral load. Do people who test undectable without meds have a hight or lower survival rate? Even with meds, if you keep your viral load undetectable, how would that effect your life expectancy?

gil, el paso tx, 2008-10-16 11:05:51
Someone forgot to tell the Tens of thousands that have died of AIDS in recent years (2006-2008) that they were supposed to live well into their senior years.

Brad, Montreal, 2008-10-13 08:04:06
I have been takeing pills since 1995,throughout there where highs and lows,finally since two years I am unditechtable,Although there are symptoms,like mild facial fat lost and bell fat gain,inwhich my Doctor always denied was from the meds infuriates me.I am living and thinking more positive than ever,I guess we all most go on living out our dreams and passoins which I find is very healthy and if we feed the the beast of fear he will just eat us up.Stay positive and do not be a victim .

Matt, Seattle, 2008-09-28 03:07:59
I hate reports like this one.It makes the uneducated think HIV/AIDS is manageable for everyone.IT IS NOT!!People that were infected before 1995 and lived undiagnosed for several years have permanent damaged organs that may never heal.I still believe HIV/AIDS is a terminal illness.

Sean, Aneheim, 2008-09-24 04:02:18
I understand my situation is very unique, I Tested positive almost as soon as I sero-converted, six weeks after I contracted HIV in 03. I went on meds the same day, I was sick with staph at the time and I had gone septic, they tested me then. My cd4 count was more than 600, it never dropped below that I've been undetectable since 2 months after I found out. My virus is undetecteable and my CD4 count stays between 1,000-1,200.I like to think I have a better chance.

Craig, , 2008-09-21 11:24:08
Greg ~ Why, may I ask, are you seeking information on giving HIV meds to individuals who are healthy? Yes, it does make a difference. If you have not done so, I would encourage you to study the life cycle of the HIV virus. This is a silent process that goes on once the virus has entered the human body, and without the necessary medication to stop and or drastically slow down this cycle, an individuals potential for a long and healthy life can be seriously short circuited.

Willie, Bronx,New York, 2008-09-19 02:22:36
I was infected sexually when I was 17 and I just turned 40 two months ago. I started taking meds when I was thirtyish mixing them with heavy alcohol and drugs. I stoped taking meds for a year in 2006, and started back about 5 or 6 months ago. t cells around 100, detecable, no more alcohol, no more drugs...I look EXCELLENT..never was sick...never told my family. when should I?

yolanda pittman, panama city, 2008-09-11 22:58:52
my son was diagnoised in 2003 and by the grace of God is doing great. He has had a staph infection which almost killed him a ruptured appendix but we know a God that is way maker aand he is truly blessing my child. his numbers are almost untraceable so don't tell me God will not let this happen just be faithful and he will deliver. yolanda

Pierre, Montreal, 2008-09-09 11:27:30
I was tested in 1985, went back for my results in 1990, started AZT and 3TC and now on a triple combo. I have been undectable 10 years now and my viral load is over 600. I have never had any complications or side effects from my drugs..During the last 25 years I have lost most of my friends and two long time lovers.. What is my secret? I don't know.. perhaps I carry a gene that slows down my progression.. I handle stress very well, seek help when I need it, excercise weekly and keep busy!

Dee, Florida, 2008-09-08 18:25:33
I tried to do the math but there are too many variables. I was diagnosed in 1993 w/ 88 T cells. According to this I should be dead. I am and have been undetectable since 1995 and have taken everything from AZT to Atripla. I agree that a poistive attitude is 50% of staying healthy. I don't work out but I take my meds evry day. The happier you are, combined with good nutrition are the keys to success. Raymond, don't quit living. It is not a death sentence like most think.

greg, palm springs, 2008-09-08 06:09:03
does anyone else think its strange to give hiv drugs to people who are healthy? how do hiv drugs affect healthy people?

JDawg, Florida, 2008-09-07 17:44:42
I found out in 2004. Since then, things are better than I thought they could be. Meds (atripla)are great and only get some fun/crazy dreams from time to time. I found that it's important to work out regularly, keeping making awesome friends, and don't forget to look in the mirror and tell yourself that your not any different. Oh ya, and keep smiling.