Another Look at Lung Cancer and HIV Infection

In a large cohort of veterans, HIV infection was independently associated with lung cancer risk, but smoking was by far the strongest predictor.

Numerous studies have documented a higher risk for lung cancer in HIV-positive individuals than HIV-negative individuals, but teasing out the underlying reasons has been difficult: Is the infection itself a risk factor, or is the association entirely due to higher rates of smoking in the HIV-positive population? A new analysis from the Veterans Affairs (VA) health system provides some insight.

Researchers compared lung cancer incidence between 37,294 HIV-positive patients and 75,750 HIV-negative individuals matched for age, sex, race, and VA healthcare site. Data on smoking status were available for 80% of HIV-positive patients and 85% of HIV-negative participants. The study population was predominantly male and 48% black. As expected, the H…

Reviewing Author

Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Sonia Nagy Chimienti, MD

Disclosures

Nothing to disclose

Another Look at Lung Cancer and HIV Infection

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Reviewing Author