Trends and disparities in human immunodeficiency virus and chronic liver disease mortality in the United States: A nationwide analysis

ObjectivesWith advances in antiretroviral therapy, the life expectancy of individuals living with human immunodeficiency virus infection has significantly improved. Consequently, non-acquired immunodeficiency syndrome-related conditions, particularly chronic liver disease, have become increasingly prominent causes of mortality.MethodsA retrospective analysis was conducted using mortality data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Wide-Ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research database spanning 1999 to 2020. We identified deaths among adults aged 25 years and older in which both human immunodeficiency virus infection and chronic liver disease were listed as causes of death. Data were grouped by gender, age, race, and region. Age-adjusted mortality rates were calculated per 1 million adults in the United States. Annual percent changes were computed using Joinpoint regression.ResultsFrom 1999 to 2020, there were 13,447 deaths in the United States in which both human immunodeficiency virus infection and chronic liver disease were listed as causes of death, with an overall age-adjusted mortality rate of 2.49. Males had higher age-adjusted mortality rates (3.85) than females (1.08). Non-Hispanic Black population had a higher age-adjusted mortality rate (8.71) than Hispanics (3.3) and non-Hispanic whites (2.29).ConclusionMortality in which both human immunodeficiency virus infection and chronic liver disease were listed as causes of death has declined, but racial disparities persist, particularly among non-Hispanic Black individuals. Addressing these disparities will require policies that improve care access and reduce liver disease-related risks among people living with human immunodeficiency virus infection.