Preliminary Exploration of Risk Factors for COVID-19-Related Mortality among People Living with HIV in Taiwan

DOI: 10.6524/TEB.202412_40(23).0001

Hsun-Yin Huang^1*, Hsiu-Yun Lo¹, Shih-Yang Tsao¹, Pin-Hui Lee¹, Pei-Chun Chan¹², Chia-Chi Lee¹

2024 Vol.40 NO.23

Correspondence Author： Hsun-Yin Huang^1*

Abstract：

        To reduce the risk of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection and death among individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), active efforts are being made to educate and encourage HIV-infected individuals to receive COVID-19 vaccinations. Health bureaus and designated HIV healthcare facilities are actively promoting vaccination and reaching out to HIV-infected individuals who might have lost contact to ensure they return for medical care, medication adherence, and vaccination. The goal was to maintain immunity and achieve an undetectable viral load status in HIV patients. Community organizations involved in HIV prevention and treatment are also actively promoting and advocating for COVID-19 vaccination.
        In this retrospective study, the research subjects consisted of 36,404 HIV-infected individuals reported as of December 31, 2022, excluding those who died before July 2021. The multivariate analysis results showed that the odds of COVID-19-related death were 5.5 times higher among those who were not vaccinated (95% CI: 2.3–13.1). Other significant factors influencing COVID-19-related death among HIV-infected individuals included age over 40 (41-49 years old, OR: 9.3, 95% CI: 1.1–75.9; ≥50 years old, OR: 11.3, 95% CI: 1.4–92.2), and risk factors of infecting with HIV was others (unspecified cause and pending, OR: 27.1, 95% CI: 7.0–104.9).
        To minimize the risk of severe complications or death from COVID-19 among HIV-infected individuals, it is recommended that they complete the COVID-19 vaccination series.