[Impact of medical approach on the presentation form of AIDS defined by clinical episodes].
BACKGROUND
In recent years there has been a change in the opportunistic diseases incidence in HIV-infected patients. The change could be related to the use antiviral therapy and chemoprophylaxis strategies. The aim of the present study was to evaluate if medical intervention is able to modificate the clinical presentation of AIDS and the CD4+ lymphocyte counts at time of AIDS diagnosis.


METHODS
The first AIDS-defining condition and the CD4+ count at time of AIDS diagnosis were analyzed in 95 HIV-infected patients who developed an AIDS-defining disease since April 1989 until March 1996, retrospectively reviewed. Patients who had been previously followed at an AIDS Unit were compared with those who had not.


RESULTS
The frequency of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia as the first AIDS-defining condition was lower in medically followed patients. Among this group, AIDS cases who received chemoprophylaxis with isoniazide showed a decrease in the rate of tuberculosis. No differences were found in CD4+ lymphocyte counts between both groups.


CONCLUSIONS
As a result of medical intervention significant changes have occurred in the spectrum of initial AIDS-defining conditions in relation to medical intervention; a decrease in the frequency of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and tuberculosis have been found; however, the CD4+ lymphocyte counts at time of AIDS diagnosis are not modificated by medical intervention.
Delgado
J
J
Departamento de Medicina Interna, Hospital Universitario Virgen del Rocío, Sevilla.
Pineda
J A
JA
Gallardo
J A
JA
Leal
M
M
Macías
J
J
Sánchez-Quijano
A
A
Lissen
E
E
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000328:Adult; D015496:CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies
Influencia de la actuación médica sobre la forma de presentación del sida definido por episodios clínicos.