Causes of death among persons reported with AIDS

This study describes causes of death in persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and assesses the completeness of reporting of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection or AIDS on death certificates of persons with AIDS.

AIDS case reports were linked with death certificates in 11 local/state health departments; underlying and associated causes of death were available for 32,513 persons with AIDS who died.

HIV/AIDS was designated as the underlying cause of death for 46% of persons with AIDS who died between 1983 and 1986 and 81% of persons with AIDS who died since 1987 (the year specific coding procedures were implemented for HIV/AIDS). Most other underlying causes of death were conditions within the AIDS case definition (notably Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia), pneumonia, infections outside the AIDS case definition, and drug abuse. Unintentional injuries, suicide, and homicide were less common. HIV/AIDS was listed as underlying or associated on 88% of death certificates from 1987 to 1989; reporting varied primarily by HIV exposure category and time between diagnosis and death.

Physicians and other health care professionals should realize their critical role in accurately documenting HIV-related mortality on death certificates. Such data can ultimately influence the allocation of health care resources for HIV-infected individuals.