Objective:

To determine the effect of introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) on survival following AIDS dementia complex (ADC).

Methods:

Australian AIDS notification data in the period 1993–2000 were examined. In order to examine the impact of HAART, two periods of AIDS diagnoses were chosen: pre-HAART (1993–1995) and HAART (1996–2000). Median survival was based on Kaplan–Meier estimates, with examination of factors influencing survival in a Cox proportional hazards model.

Results:

In the period 1993–2000 in Australia, 5017 initial AIDS illnesses were diagnosed among 4351 AIDS patients. The proportion of AIDS cases with ADC increased from 5.2% in 1993–1995 to 6.8% in 1996–2000 (P= 0.029). Median survival following AIDS increased from 19.6 months for those diagnosed with AIDS in 1993–1995 to 39.6 months for those diagnosed in 1996–2000 (P< 0.0005). Median survival following ADC increased to a greater extent than that for all other AIDS illnesses, from 11.9 months in 1993–1995 to 48.2 in 1996–2000 (P< 0.0005). Most striking was the increase in survival among those with ADC and a CD4 cell count< 100× 10 6 cells/l at diagnosis; 5.1 months in 1993–1995 to 38.5 months in 1996–2000 (P< 0.0005).

Conclusion:

Although there has been a proportional increase in ADC at AIDS diagnosis, survival following ADC has improved markedly in the era of HAART.