Trends in Diseases Reported on US Death Certificates That Mentioned HIV Infection, 1996-2006

Abstract

Objective: We examined trends during 1996-2006 in diseases reported on death certificates that mentioned HIV infection.

Methods: We analyzed multiple-cause mortality data compiled from all US death certificates with any mention of HIV to determine the annual percentages of deaths with various diseases.

Results: Deaths reported with HIV during 1996-2006 decreased from 35 340 to 13 750. Standardized percentages of death certificates reporting AIDS-defining opportunistic infections also decreased: pneumocytosis (6.3% to 5.1%), nontuberculous mycobacteriosis (5.5% to 1.8%), cytomegalovirus (5.7% to 1.2%). Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma rose from 4.8% in 1996 to 6.4% in 1997 and declined to 5.0% in 2001, while Kaposi's sarcoma declined from 3.7% in 1996 to 1.7% in 2001; these AIDS-defining cancers had stable percentages after 2001. All other cancers increased during 1996-2006 (2.7% to 7.3%). The percentage of deaths with diseases not specifically attributable to HIV increased: liver disease (5.8% to 13.0%), kidney disease (7.9% to 12.0%), and heart disease (4.9% to 10.2%).

Conclusion: Among deaths reported with HIV, the percentages reported with HIV-attributable diseases decreased, while the percentages reported with other diseases increased. Consequently, these other life-threatening diseases need more attention in the management of HIV-infected persons.