[Clinical and epidemiological characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus infection in foreigners residing in Elche, Spain (1998-2003)].
BACKGROUND
To determine the characteristics of HIV-infection in foreign patients residing in Elche, Spain.


METHODS
A retrospective comparative analysis of clinical and epidemiological characteristics was performed to study HIV-infection in foreign immigrants, foreigners who were not immigrants and the native Spanish population between January 1998 and December 2003.


RESULTS
Among the 659 patients attended, 30 (4.6%) were foreign immigrants and 11 (1.7%) foreign non-immigrants. The percentage of affected immigrants increased during the study period from 1.6% to 9.8% (p < 0.001). There was a higher percentage of women in the immigrant group (36.7%) than in the foreign non-immigrant (27.3%) and native (18.4%) groups (p = 0.04). Mean age of the immigrants was lower than that of the foreign non-immigrants and native population (p = 0.02). Sexual transmission as a risk factor for acquiring HIV infection was higher in the immigrant (80%) group than in the foreign non-immigrant (27.3%) and native populations (14.7%), (p = 0.005). Antiretroviral treatment and mortality were similar in immigrant and non-immigrant patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The epidemiology of HIV infection in foreign patients was different from that observed in the native population, but access to antiretroviral treatment and mortality were similar.
Ramos
José Manuel
JM
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain. jramosrincon@yahoo.es
Gutiérrez
Félix
F
Padilla
Sergio
S
Masiá
Mar
M
Escolano
Clara
C
D000328:Adult; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology