Predictors of early mortality in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-tuberculosis co-infection.

This study focuses on people living with HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) who were co-infected with tuberculosis (TB) in a tertiary referral center in Türkiye between 2004 and 2023, aiming to identify their demographic and clinical characteristics and predictors of early mortality within six months of TB diagnosis. Among 1,541 PLWH, 62 (4%) had TB, with a high early mortality rate of 37%. Significant predictors of early death included severe immunosuppression indicated by a CD4+ T lymphocyte count ≤50 cells/mm³, lymphopenia, anemia, thrombocytopenia (particularly platelet counts <150,000/mm³), and clinical symptoms such as fever, anorexia, weight loss, and altered mental status. The study highlights the importance of early HIV detection, timely antiretroviral therapy initiation, and close clinical monitoring to reduce mortality in this high-risk population.