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We estimated the number of deaths in France for the year 2000 in HIV-infected adults using three sources. The sources were (1) the 'Mortalité 2000' survey (M2000): 964 deaths were documented by 185 hospital wards involved in HIV management; (2) 1288 death certificates with a mention of HIV infection (INSERM-CepiDc) and (3) the French hospital database on HIV infection (FHDH) identified 654 deaths. The capture-recapture method was used with log-linear modelling. Overall 1559 deaths were observed. Estimation of the number of deaths in France was 1699 (95% CI 1671-1727). The completeness of M2000, CepiDc and FHDH were 55%, 76% and 38% respectively. Diversification of diseases and of causes of death in HIV-infected adults may explain: (1) the diversification of physicians involved in their management and incomplete coverage of M2000 and FHDH, and (2) why HIV infection was not mentioned in all death certificates.

Background: Little representative information exists on the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diseases among the overall AIDS population. The objective of this research is to assess the nature, frequency and characteristics of these diseases among AIDS patients during their last year of life and to analyse these frequencies according to the mode of transmission and other socio-demographic and medical characteristics., Methods: To obtain comprehensive data, we conducted an investigation based on retrospective collection of clinical information on a representative sample (1203 deaths) of all AIDS deaths that occurred in France during 1992., Results: The frequency of the diseases was markedly higher than the one described in the AIDS surveillance registers and varied between homosexuals and intravenous drug users (IVDU). After controlling for other variables (age, CD4 counts, survival times) by means of logistic regression, homosexuality remained a significant explaining factor for Kaposi's sarcoma, cytomegalovirus infections, herpes simplex and cryptosporidiosis. In contrast, HIV encephalopathy, hepatitis, mental disorders, invasive candidiasis and cachexia were more frequent in male IVDU. Few differences were observed by sex., Conclusions: Several factors may explain the differences: variation in exposure to infectious agents, general health status, use of medical care and direct influence of the mode of HIV transmission. These data are of particular value for medical services in planning the magnitude of health care needs among the AIDS population overall, for clinicians and researchers for advancing the understanding of the natural history of AIDS and in the definition of prophylactic strategies against opportunistic infections.