Survival-related Factors in HIV/AIDS Patients: A Retrospective Cohort Study from 2011 to 2019 in Kermanshah, Iran

Introduction Accurate evaluation of the survival rate among HIV-positive populations is pivotal for HIV management. Objective This study aimed to investigate the survival rate and potential survival-related factors in HIV/AIDS patients from 2011 to 2019 in the city of Kermanshah in the west of Iran. Methods In this study, 915 HIV-positive patients registered by the Kermanshah Behavioral diseases counseling center were surveyed from 2011 to 2019. The proper data on the survival factors were extracted and statistically analyzed by reading the patients' files. Results Of 915 patients, 220 (24%) died. The one-year, five-year, and ten-year survival rates were 84%, 72%, and 62%, respectively. There was a significant relationship between the survival rate and many other parameters, including treatment variables, CD4+ T cell count, the way of HIV transmission, level of education, gender, and marital status. Over time, the timely initiation of treatment has increased. The data also showed that HIV transmission through drug injection has decreased, while the sexual transmission of HIV has increased. Conclusion The results showed that the survival rate of HIV patients has increased in recent years due to the appropriate treatment. The highest risk factor of death was for people with low CD4+ T cell count, lack of antiretroviral therapy, low level of education, male gender, and people who inject drugs. These people need more attention to get tested for HIV- related indexes and to receive proper treatment.

Automated summary

This study investigated the survival rate and potential survival-related factors in HIV/AIDS patients from 2011 to 2019 in the city of Kermanshah, Iran, finding that timely initiation of treatment has increased survival rates among HIV patients, while those with low CD4+ T cell count, lack of antiretroviral therapy, low level of education, males, and drug injectors are at highest risk of death.