Mortality among human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients with cirrhosis or hepatocellular carcinoma due to hepatitis C virus in French departments of internal medicine/infectious diseases, in 1995 and 1997

Several studies have suggested that the progression of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is more severe in patients infected by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Two national retrospective multicenter cohort surveys were performed in France that included 17,487 HIV-infected patients during 1995 and 26,497 during 1997. The following data was evaluated: total number of deaths; number of deaths linked to AIDS, cirrhosis, or hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); and number of deaths related to other (non-HCV-linked) causes. In 1995, the causes of death were as follows: AIDS, 1307 (7.47%); cirrhosis or HCC, 21 (0.12%); and other (non-HCV-linked) causes, 99 (0.56%). In 1997, the causes of deaths were as follows: AIDS, 459 (1.73%); cirrhosis or HCC 36 (0.13%); and other (non-HCV-linked) causes, 48 (0.18%). Comparative results between the 1995 and 1997 surveys showed a dramatic decrease in AIDS-related mortality rates (7.47% vs. 1.73%; P < .001) but not in HCV-related mortality rates (0.06% vs. 0.07%; P = .79). In France, despite the high prevalence of HCV infection in HIV-positive patients, the mortality rate in 1995 and 1997 caused by HCV-related cirrhosis or HCC was low.