AIDS-related conditions: study of a representative sample of 1203 patients deceased in 1992 in France.
BACKGROUND
Little representative information exists on the frequency of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-related diseases among the overall AIDS population. The objective of this research is to assess the nature, frequency and characteristics of these diseases among AIDS patients during their last year of life and to analyse these frequencies according to the mode of transmission and other socio-demographic and medical characteristics.


METHODS
To obtain comprehensive data, we conducted an investigation based on retrospective collection of clinical information on a representative sample (1203 deaths) of all AIDS deaths that occurred in France during 1992.


RESULTS
The frequency of the diseases was markedly higher than the one described in the AIDS surveillance registers and varied between homosexuals and intravenous drug users (IVDU). After controlling for other variables (age, CD4 counts, survival times) by means of logistic regression, homosexuality remained a significant explaining factor for Kaposi's sarcoma, cytomegalovirus infections, herpes simplex and cryptosporidiosis. In contrast, HIV encephalopathy, hepatitis, mental disorders, invasive candidiasis and cachexia were more frequent in male IVDU. Few differences were observed by sex.


CONCLUSIONS
Several factors may explain the differences: variation in exposure to infectious agents, general health status, use of medical care and direct influence of the mode of HIV transmission. These data are of particular value for medical services in planning the magnitude of health care needs among the AIDS population overall, for clinicians and researchers for advancing the understanding of the natural history of AIDS and in the definition of prophylactic strategies against opportunistic infections.
Jougla
E
E
Service d'Information sur les Causes Médicales de Décès, Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale (INSERM-SC8), Le Vésinet, France.
Péquignot
F
F
Carbon
C
C
Pavillon
G
G
Mireille
E B
EB
Bourdais
J P
JP
Bourdais
O
O
Hatton
F
F
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000453:epidemiology; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000635:transmission; D000328:Adult; D002423:Cause of Death; D005260:Female; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000635:transmission; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011897:Random Allocation; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors