There remains a need to better understand the prognostic factors affecting the long-term survival in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) particularly in developing countries.

The data were extracted from 585 patients’ medical records available at the triangular clinics for behavioral diseases. The outcomes of interest were the survival rates of progression to AIDS and death in HIV-positive subjects. The effect of several prognostic factors on survival time was investigated.

One-year, five-year and 10-year survival rates from time of HIV diagnosis to AIDS were 89%, 69% and 30%, respectively. One-year and five-year survival rates from AIDS to death were 76% and 46%, respectively. One-year, five-year and 10-year survival rate from HIV diagnosis to death were 87%, 67% and 40%, respectively. Hazard ratio of progression to AIDS in HIV-positive subjects who co-infected with tuberculosis was 4.50 (p < 0.001). Hazard ratio of death from AIDS-related causes was 4.77 in patients who did not receive highly active antiretroviral therapy compared to those who did (p < 0.001).

Co-infection with tuberculosis was one of the most important prognostic factors of progression to AIDS and antiretroviral treatment was found to be an effective measure which can contribute substantially in suppressing HIV viral replication and improving the survival of patients living with HIV.