Can Drinking Coffee Boost Survival Rates Among HIV/HCV Co-Infected Patients?

The results of a 5-year study, recently published in the Journal of Hepatology, show that coffee drinking can cut down the risk of all-cause mortality in patients with HIV and hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections by half.

According to the study, drinking at least 3 cups of coffee per day halved all-cause mortality risk in patients who were coinfected with HIV and HCV, likely because of coffee’s known anti-inflammatory and liver-protective properties. Notably, not smoking, in addition to coffee consumption, increased survival in this group even more.

For the study, the investigators gathered data from a 5-year follow-up of 1028 patients who were coinfected with HIV and HCV, enrolled in the French national ANRS CO13-HEPAVIH cohort. At the start of the study, 1 in 4 patients reported drinking at least 3 cups of coffee daily. Over the course of the study period, 77 deaths occurred, almost half of which were attributable to hepatitis C.

Upon further analysis, the researchers discovered that consuming at least 3 cups of coffee each day was linked with a 50% reduction in mortality risk, even after taking into account other factors such as HCV clearance, having a steady partner, and not smoking.

The researchers noted that the findings highlight the importance of behaviors on reduced mortality risk, especially in patients with HIV and HCV. Certain behavioral changes, such as coffee consumption and not smoking, can positively impact survival in this population, the researchers concluded, and health care professionals should promote healthy behaviors in these patients after HCV clearance.

This article originally appeared on PharmacyTimes.com.