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Review
. 2016 Sep;11(5):492-500.
doi: 10.1097/COH.0000000000000298.

Trends in life expectancy of HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy across the globe: comparisons with general population

Gilles Wandeler  1 , Leigh F Johnson, Matthias Egger
Affiliations
Review

Trends in life expectancy of HIV-positive adults on antiretroviral therapy across the globe: comparisons with general population

Gilles Wandeler et al. Curr Opin HIV AIDS. 2016 Sep.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Improved virological and immunological outcomes and reduced toxicity of antiretroviral combination therapy (ART) raise the hope that life expectancy of HIV-positive persons on ART will approach that of the general population. We systematically review the literature and summarize published estimates of life expectancy of HIV-positive populations on ART. We compare their life expectancy with the life expectancy of the general or, in sub-Saharan Africa, HIV-negative populations, by time period and gender.

Recent findings: Ten relevant studies were published from 2006 to 2015. Three studies were from Canada, two from European countries, three from sub-Saharan Africa and two were multicountry studies. Life expectancy increased over time in all studies and regions. Expressed as the percentage of life expectancy in the HIV-negative or general population, estimated life expectancy at age 20 years in HIV-positive people on ART ranged from 60.3% (95% CI 58.0-62.6%) in Rwanda (2008-2011) to 89.1% (95% CI 84.7-93.6%) in Canada (2008-2012). The percentage of life expectancy in the HIV-negative or general population achieved was higher in HIV-positive women than in HIV-positive men in all countries, except for Canada wherein the opposite was the case.

Summary: Life expectancy in HIV-positive people on ART has improved worldwide in recent years, but important gaps remain compared with the general and HIV-negative population, and between regions and genders.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Flow chart of identifying relevant studies.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Life expectancy at age 20 years in HIV-positive individuals initiating ART, by earlier and later calendar period.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Life expectancy at age 20 years in HIV-positive men and women initiating ART.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

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