Lin YD, Garner SE, Lau JSY, Korman TM, Woolley IJ. Prevalence of HIV indicator conditions in late presenting patients with HIV: a missed opportunity for diagnosis?
QJM 2019;
112:17-21. [PMID:
30295832 DOI:
10.1093/qjmed/hcy223]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
AIM
To evaluate prior prevalence of HIV indicator conditions in late-presenters with HIV infection.
DESIGN
Retrospective cohort study between 2000 and 2014 in a healthcare network in Melbourne, Australia comparing patients presenting with late diagnosis of HIV infection (CD4 < 350 cells/ml) to those patients who had a CD greater than or equal to 350 cells/ml at presentation.
METHOD
The European AIDS Clinical Society guidelines on HIV indicator guided testing were used to assess for any indicator conditions in their prior medical history which may have represented a missed opportunity for earlier diagnosis. Main outcome measures: Descriptive statistics and prevalence of HIV indicator conditions.
RESULTS
Of 436 patients with HIV infection, 82 were late presenters. Late presenters were more commonly male (83% vs. 75%, P = 0.11), older (mean age 45 vs. 39 years), born overseas (61% vs. 58%, P = 0.68) and report heterosexual transmission as their exposure risk (51% vs. 31%, P < 0.001). Of 80 patients with late presentation of HIV infection, 54 (55%) had at least one, 29 (36%) at least 2, 12 (15%) at least 3 and 5 (6%) had 4 or more previous HIV indicator conditions which would have triggered HIV testing according to guidelines. The most common indicator conditions were: unexplained loss of weight (31%), herpes zoster (10%), thrombocytopenia or leukopenia (10%), oral or oesophageal candidiasis (10%) and community acquired pneumonia (9%). Twenty patients (25%) had HIV indicator conditions diagnosed at least 12 months before the eventual diagnosis of HIV infection.
DISCUSSION/ CONCLUSION
Patients diagnosed with late-presenting HIV often had an HIV indicator condition prior to presentation, presenting a missed opportunity for earlier diagnosis.
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