[The evolution of AIDS mortality and survival in Barcelona (1981-1997)].

BACKGROUND To analyze the evolution of AIDS mortality and survival in Barcelona, Spain. PATIENTS AND METHODS AIDS-cases registered in Barcelona (Spain) between 1981-1997. Study of mortality and survival probability. RESULTS Mortality decreased by 55% between 1996-1997. Survival probability at 547 days was of 80.3% in 1997 compared with 48.6% before 1988. Being older than 36 years old, IVDU, having other AIDS-defining disease than tuberculosis, and year of diagnostic before 1997 were associated with poor survival. CONCLUSIONS AIDS mortality in Barcelona has enormously decreased. The best survival in 1997 is probably attributable to the new antiretroviral therapies.