Survival of blood donors and their spouses with HIV-1 subtype E (CRF01 A_E) infection in northern Thailand, 1992–2007

Abstract

To evaluate the survival patterns among adults in Thailand 8-14 years after HIV-1 subtype E (CRF01 A_E) infection. Follow-up for the current vital status of adults who were estimated to have had incident HIV-1 subtype E infection 8-14 years previously. Data on the survival of a population of HIV-1-infected male blood donors and their seropositive wives was obtained during March-April 2007. These subjects were identified from a subpopulation of 150 individuals whose seroconversion interval was estimated to be less than 2 years and who were enrolled in 1992-1997. National registration, vital records, and death certificates, as appropriate, were obtained and Kaplan-Meier survival curves were constructed for the entire population, for males and females, and for individuals above and equal to or below the median age at infection. The vital status was obtained for 138 of 150 subjects (92%). The overall median survival was 8.2 [95% confidence interval (CI) 7.1-9.4] years. The median survival did not differ significantly between men and women or in those above or below the median age. The median survival of 8.2 years in this population of young adults in Thailand was significantly less than that reported among persons of similar age in high-income countries or in eastern or southern Africa. The survival among individuals in Thailand infected with HIV-1 subtype E appears to be similar to that reported among individuals in Africa infected with HIV-1 subtype D.