Yang X, Sun J, Patel RC, et al. - Whether risk of adverse COVID-19 outcomes is higher in people living with HIV investigated using the population-based National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data in the USA.

• From January 1, 2020, to May 8, 2021, a total of 1,436,622 adult COVID-19 cases were reported in N3C; 13,170 of these individuals had HIV infection.

• After adjusting for all the covariates, higher odds of COVID-19 death and hospitalization, but lower odds of mild or moderate COVID-19, were recorded for people with vs without HIV.

• Patients who were from older age groups, male, Black, African American, Hispanic, or Latinx adults were noted to have higher elevated odds.

• There was association of a lower CD4 cell count (< 200 cells per μL) with all the adverse COVID-19 outcomes, while reduced hospitalization was observed only in association with viral suppression.

• Based on findings, researchers emphasize strengthening of services and support to avoid aggravated COVID-19 outcomes among people with HIV, particularly for those with pronounced immunodeficiency.