Opportunistic infections and other AIDS-defining illnesses in Poland in 2000-2002.
BACKGROUND
The introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) led to a decreased incidence of the most severe opportunistic infections (OIs) in HIV-infected patients. In Poland, HAART became widely used in 1998.


METHODS
This study was based on data from medical records data collected in the years 2000-2002 from medical centers for HIV-infected patients in Poland. The aim of the study was to determine the incidence of opportunistic infections (OIs) and other AIDS defining illnesses (ADIs). The chi(2) test was used to determine any significant trends.


RESULTS
The incidence of ADIs was 6.8, 6.5 and 4.8/100 persons/year in 2000-2002, respectively. The most common diagnosed OIs were: fungal infections, tuberculosis, recurrent pneumonia, PCP and toxoplasmosis. In patients receiving HAART (HAART+) the incidence of ADIs was significantly lower than in non-ARV-treated as well as in all HIV+ (p < 0.02, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, respectively). A significant decrease in the incidence of ADIs in HAART+ patients between 2000 and 2002 (p < 0.0001) was observed. From 25% to 30% of ADIs among HAART+ patients were diagnosed within the first 3 months of antiretroviral therapy. In HAART+ patients the most common ADIs were fungal infections and tuberculosis. The diagnosis of ADIs resulted in the recognition of HIV status in 8.7-8.9% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Five years after the introduction of HAART the incidence of ADIs had declined. Fungal infections and tuberculosis were the most common OIs in HIV+ patients in Poland.
Podlasin
R B
RB
Hospital of Infectious Diseases, Wolska 37, 01-201, Warsaw, Poland. podlasin@cdit-aids.med.pl
Wiercinska-Drapalo
A
A
Olczak
A
A
Beniowski
M
M
Smiatacz
T
T
Malolepsza
E
E
Juszczyk
J
J
Leszczyszyn-Pynka
M
M
Mach
T
T
Mian
M
M
Knysz
B
B
Horban
A
A
D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D006801:Humans; D009181:Mycoses / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011020:Pneumonia, Pneumocystis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D011044:Poland / Q000453:epidemiology; D014376:Tuberculosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents