Characteristics of and outcomes in HIV-infected patients who return to care after loss to follow-up.
The objective of this study was to evaluate the characteristics of and outcomes in HIV-infected patients who returned to care after loss to follow-up (LTFU) in Northern France, between 1997 and 2006. Among the 1007 patients who were followed, 135 patients (13.4%) were LTFU during the study period. Of these 135, 74 (54.8%) returned to care after LTFU. The median duration of LTFU was 19 months. Upon returning to care, 33 out of 74 patients (44.6%) had CD4 cell counts less than 200/mm and/or AIDS. Patients who returned to care after LTFU were five times more likely to die than patients who attended clinic regularly.
Ndiaye
Bakhao
B
CIRE Nord, Lille, Cedex, France.
Ould-Kaci
Karim
K
Salleron
Julia
J
Bataille
Pierre
P
Bonnevie
Frederique
F
Cochonat
Karine
K
Fontier
Clotilde
C
Guerroumi
Habib
H
Yazdanpanah
Yazdan
Y
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000276:immunology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008134:Long-Term Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010352:Patient Dropouts / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011379:Prognosis; D016019:Survival Analysis