To study the impact of AIDS on premature mortality in the city of Amsterdam (1982-1992).
We combined aggregated data from the Netherlands Central Bureau for Statistics with data from the municipal death and population registry and data from the Amsterdam AIDS surveillance system to calculate age standardized mortality rates for men aged 15-64 years and 25-54 years and working years of potential life lost before 65 years (WYPLL).
AIDS was the leading cause of death for men aged 25-54 years in Amsterdam from 1990 onwards, and the third leading cause of death for men aged 15-64 years in 1991. In this larger age group AIDS will probably become the leading cause of death in the coming years. In 1991, AIDS was already the leading cause of WYPLL before 65 years for men in the 15-64 age group. Without AIDS, there would have been a decrease in premature WYPLL from 1982 onwards; however, because of AIDS the number of WYPLL is increasing again.
AIDS has had a significant impact on the pattern of premature mortality in Amsterdam in the period 1982-1992. Its impact will probably increase over the next few years.