Mortality in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) and the Swiss general population.

Because of high death rates in the past, patients with HIV-1 cannot obtain life insurance. We measured mortality rates in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study (SHCS) from 1997 to 2001 and compared them with those of the Swiss reference population. In patients who were successfully treated with highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART), and who were not also infected with the hepatitis C virus, excess death rates were below five per thousand per year.

Abnormalities of body fat distribution in HIV-infected persons treated with antiretroviral drugs: The Swiss HIV Cohort Study.

We prospectively assessed the 1-month prevalence of abnormal body fat distribution in HIV-infected individuals. Of 1,359 patients treated with antiretroviral drugs, 578 (43%) had signs of abnormal fat distribution. Peripheral fat loss was observed in 382 patients (28%), whereas 412 (30%) had signs of fat accumulation.