The tested variables were age, gender, HIV transmission group, current CD4 and CD8 T cell counts, CD4 T cell nadir, CD4/CD8 T cell ratio, CD4 T cell nadir/CD8 T cell ratio, plasma HIV-1 RNA level, AIDS status, the haemoglobin level, body mass index (BMI), smoking status, hypertension or use of antihypertensive treatment, diabetes or use of antidiabetic treatment, anti-HCV antibodies and HBs antigen status, non-AIDS malignancy (CIM-10 definition), liver failure, chronic kidney disease, cirrhosis, and pulmonary embolism. The gene discussed is CD8A; the disease is pulmonary embolism.