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The information below is forwarded from the Core Group HIV/AIDS discussion forum.
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Smoking doubles the risk of death for people with HIV
Two years ago, a study from Denmark [1] showed that smoking has a bigger impact on the life expectancy of people living with HIV than HIV itself. An individual living with HIV who has never smoked could expect to live five years fewer than someone in the general population. On the other hand, someone living with HIV who smokes would live twelve years fewer.
Now the same researchers have analysed data on deaths and smoking in around 18,000 people in Europe and North America over a 14-year period [2]. Everyone in the study was living with HIV and taking anti-HIV drugs.
They have found that smoking doubles the risk of death. Each year, 8 in every 1000 smokers died. Among non-smokers, 4 in every 1000 people died.
The increase in deaths was mostly due to cardiovascular disease (heart attacks, strokes, etc.), lung cancer, other cancers, and liver disease.
The life expectancy of a 35-year-old HIV-positive man who smoked was on av