Life expectancy increased for HIV patients

Scientists have revealed that earlier diagnosis and improved treatment have significantly increased the life expectancy of people with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the UK.

The report, published on the online version of the British Medical Journal, revealed that people with HIV have a 15 year longer life expectancy than those diagnosed in 1996.

It claimed that earlier diagnosis and timely treatment has accounted for the improved outlook for patients diagnosed between 1996 and 2008.

HIV infection is now considered as chronic disease with a good prognosis if treatment begins sufficiently early in the course of the disease and the patient takes to antiretroviral treatment, but their life expectancy is still lower than that of the general population.

The analysis shows that life expectancy for an average 20-year-old infected with HIV increased from 30 years to almost 46 between the periods 1996-9 and 2006-8.

Dr Mark Gompels, lead clinician and co-author, North Bristol NHS Trust, said: "These results are very reassuring news for current patients and will be used to counsel those recently found to be HIV-positive."