The late diagnosis and consequent short-term mortality of HIV-infected heterosexuals (England and Wales, 2000-2004).
OBJECTIVE
To describe the proportion of HIV-infected heterosexual individuals diagnosed late and estimate how much mortality could have been prevented by earlier diagnosis.


METHODS
A population-based study using surveillance reports from England and Wales.


METHODS
Calculation of proportions diagnosed late (CD4 cell count < 200 cells/mul) and short-term mortality (death within a year of diagnosis).


RESULTS
A total of 16 375 heterosexual individuals were diagnosed with HIV (2000-2004): 10 503 with CD4 cell counts available at that time; 42% (4425) were diagnosed late. Late diagnosis increased with age (P < 0.01). One fifth of women diagnosed antenatally were diagnosed late compared with 42% of other women and 49% of men; 70% of all heterosexuals diagnosed were black Africans, born and infected in Africa. Of those, at least 40% were recent arrivals to the UK, and twice as many were diagnosed late as black-African heterosexuals infected in the UK. Short-term mortality was 3.2% (491/15 523); 6.1% among those diagnosed late and 0.7% among others (P < 0.01). Short-term mortality was lower among black-African compared with white heterosexuals (3.1 versus 4.5%; P < 0.01) because of diagnosis at a younger age. Earlier diagnosis would have reduced short-term mortality by 56% (249 fewer deaths) and all mortality by 32% between 2000 and 2004.


CONCLUSIONS
Groups at high risk of late diagnosis should be targeted for health promotion activities, opportunistic screening, and removal of any barriers to testing. HIV testing in a variety of settings would reduce missed diagnoses and costs. New patient checks in primary care may provide the earliest opportunity to diagnose HIV infection among recent arrivals to the UK.
Chadborn
Timothy R
TR
HIV and STI Department, Health Protection Agency Centre for Infections, London, UK. tim.chadborn@hpa.org.uk
Delpech
Valerie C
VC
Sabin
Caroline A
CA
Sinka
Katy
K
Evans
Barry G
BG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D044383:Black People; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000401:mortality; D020010:Heterosexuality; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods; D011296:Prenatal Diagnosis; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012747:Sexual Partners; D013997:Time Factors; D014852:Wales / Q000453:epidemiology; D044465:White People