[Social inequalities in survival of people with AIDS].
OBJECTIVE
As a result of the introduction of new highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in industrialized countries, social inequalities in survival of people with AIDS were observed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the presence of these inequalities in a cohort of persons with diagnosis of AIDS in a period of wider diffusion of the therapy.


METHODS
Longitudinal study of 1,368 resident of Rome, age between 18 and 59 years, diagnosed with AIDS between 1996 and 2000.


METHODS
Survival at 31.12.2002 after diagnosis of AIDS was analysed with respect to variables indicating socioeconomic status (SES) and income (IR) calculated for census tract of residence. We calculated hazard ratios (HR) of death using the Cox regression model and adjusting for gender, age, risk factor, period of diagnosis, CD4 cell count at diagnosis, AIDS defining disease and hospital of diagnosis.


RESULTS
The analysis of survival has not evidenced difference of survival for different levels of SES and IR. For males only, there was an increase in mortality for persons of second level (HR=1.68; 95%CI 1.04-2.71) and fourth level (HR=1.85; 95% CI 1.15-2.96) of IR when compared with the first level


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, conducted in the context of wider diffusion of HAART, the social differentials in survival with AIDS found in previous studies were not confirmed.
Palange
Stefania
S
Dipartimento di epidemiologia, ASL RM E, Roma. palange@asplazio.it
Porta
Daniela
D
Forastiere
Francesco
F
Perucci
Carlo A
CA
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000276:immunology / Q000401:mortality*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015704:CD4 Antigens / Q000276:immunology; D002391:Catchment Area, Health; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012935:Social Justice; D015996:Survival Rate
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents; D015704:CD4 Antigens