Clinical presentations of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients at a university hospital in Bangkok, Thailand.
BACKGROUND
Epidemiology and clinical features of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients vary and depend on period of time and geographical area.


METHODS
A retrospective review was conducted in adults with positive HIV antibody testing between January and December 2006 at a university hospital setting.


RESULTS
Prevalence of HIV infection was 1.0%. There were 221 patients with a median age of 35.5 (range, 15.8-72.3) years, and 57% were males. The most common risk of HIV acquisition was heterosexual (63.8%). The most common reason for HIV testing was preoperative screening (41.2%). Of all, 52.9%, 37.1%, and 10% were diagnosed as AIDS, asymptomatic, and symptomatic patients, respectively. Median CD4 count at HIV diagnosis was 260 (range, 6-1284) cells/mm(3). AIDS-defining illnesses were found in 35.7%. Overall mortality rate was 1.8%.


CONCLUSIONS
More than half of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients have advanced HIV disease and are unaware of their HIV status. These results reflect inadequate education of HIV risks and voluntary HIV testing in Thailand.
Kiertiburanakul
Sasisopin
S
Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. rasal@mahidol.ac.th
Boonyarattaphun
Kochamarj
K
Atamasirikul
Kalayanee
K
Sungkanuparph
Somnuek
S
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000503:physiopathology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology; D006785:Hospitals, University / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D055815:Young Adult
D015483:HIV Antibodies