Inflammatory and coagulation biomarkers and mortality in patients with HIV infection

2008

Inflammatory and Coagulation Biomarkers and Mortality in HIV Patients

Sample size: 5472 publication 10 minutes Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Kuller Lewis H, Tracy Russell, Belloso Waldo, Wit Stephane De, Drummond Fraser, Lane H. Clifford, Ledergerber Bruno, Lundgren Jens, Neuhaus Jacqueline, Nixon Daniel, Paton Nicholas I, Neaton James D

Primary Institution: University of Pittsburgh

Hypothesis

Increased HIV-RNA levels following ART interruption induce activation of tissue factor pathways, thrombosis, and fibrinolysis.

Conclusion

IL-6 and D-dimer were strongly related to all-cause mortality, suggesting that interrupting ART may increase the risk of death by raising these levels.

Supporting Evidence

Higher levels of hsCRP, IL-6, and D-dimer at study entry were significantly associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality.
Unadjusted odds ratios for the highest versus lowest quartile of IL-6 and D-dimer were 8.3 and 12.4, respectively.
IL-6 and D-dimer increased significantly in the drug conservation group compared to the viral suppression group after one month.

Takeaway

This study found that certain proteins in the blood can help predict if someone with HIV is at risk of dying, especially if they stop their treatment.

Methodology

The study used stored blood samples to measure six biomarkers in a nested case-control design and compared levels between participants who died and matched controls.