The HIV-1 seroprevalence rate of injured patients admitted through California emergency departments. California HIV-1 Emergency Department Seroprevalence Study Group.
OBJECTIVE
To measure the HIV seroprevalence of injured emergency department patients in a number of California hospitals and to examine the relationship between ED seroprevalence and local AIDS incidence.


METHODS
Prospective blinded testing for HIV-1 antibody was performed on routinely collected blood samples.


METHODS
Ten California hospitals; group 1 included three hospitals from counties of high AIDS incidence (more than 40 cases per 100,000 population), group 2 included three hospitals from counties of intermediate AIDS incidence (20 to 40 cases per 100,000 population); and group 3 included four hospitals from counties of low AIDS incidence (less than 20 cases per 100,000 population).


METHODS
Eligible patients were all adult trauma victims admitted to a participating hospital through the ED during a consecutive three-month period occurring between June and November 1989.


METHODS
HIV-1 antibody testing was done using enzyme immunoassay confirmed by immunofluorescence assay. Equivocal results were confirmed by Western blot. Mann-Whitney U test, chi 2 test, and multiple logistic regression were used where appropriate.


RESULTS
There were 2,264 patients with adequate blood samples for serologic testing. The seroprevalence rates for hospitals in groups 1, 2, and 3 were significantly different (chi 2 = 8.44, P = .02): Group 1, 2.5% (19 of 756: 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.5% to 3.9%); group 2, 0.9% (10 of 1,078; CI, 0.5% to 1.7%); and group 3, 0.5% (two of 430; CI, 0.06% to 1.7%).


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests that local AIDS incidence rates do not necessarily predict the seroprevalence rates of injured patients who are admitted through local EDs.
Rhee
K J
KJ
Department of Internal Medicine, University of California Davis.
Albertson
T E
TE
Kizer
K W
KW
Hughes
M J
MJ
Ascher
M S
MS
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000328:Adult; D015982:Bias; D002140:California / Q000453:epidemiology; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005260:Female; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D010343:Patient Admission / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology