COMCAT

This ongoing epidemiological cohort study investigates causes of death and mortality trends among intravenous drug users recruited in Milan between 1980 and 1988, with a particular focus on the evolving impact of HIV infection and temporal changes in AIDS‑related mortality. Participants are being followed longitudinally, with vital status continuously ascertained through municipal registry offices in the metropolitan area of Milan, while causes of death are determined through systematic review of death certificates, clinical records, and available autopsy reports. Mortality patterns and cause‑specific deaths among HIV‑infected individuals are being compared with those observed in cohort members with undetermined serological status to assess the contribution of HIV infection to overall mortality. Ongoing temporal trend analyses aim to describe changes in total and AIDS‑specific mortality over time, providing updated evidence on the long‑term epidemiological impact of HIV in this high‑risk population.