title: Development of an HIV clinical cohort database for enhancing epidemiologic surveillance in Hong Kong.
abstract: The Hong Kong HIV Cohort Database is an observational cohort including all patients enrolled in 2 HIV specialist clinical services in Hong Kong. Basic demographics, HIV transmission category, and the diagnoses of AIDS were captured using a standardized template. As of December 2006, 2132 HIV cases had been registered in the database, representing two thirds of all reports submitted to the government's surveillance system. Non-Chinese and young females≤24 years were less represented in the cohort. Description of cohort cases was, however, more complete in terms of transmission category and presentation with AIDS-defining illnesses. Overall, Pneumocystis jirovecci, tuberculosis, and systemic mycosis accounted for a majority of AIDS cases within 3 months of HIV diagnosis. There was a gradual rise of HIV positive men having sex with men in the cohort, notably after 2002, an observation also made in other Asian countries.
authors: Stanley Ho Centre for Emerging Infectious Diseases and Department of Microbiology, 2/F School of Public Health, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. sslee.ss@gmail.com
authors: Shui Shan
authors: SS
authors: Lee
authors: Krystal Chi Kei
authors: KC
authors: Lee
authors: Man Po
authors: MP
authors: Lee
authors: Ian Chi Tat
authors: IC
authors: Tse
authors: Wai Lai
authors: WL
authors: Mak
authors: Patrick Chung Ki
authors: PC
authors: Li
authors: Ka Hing
authors: KH
authors: Wong
authors: Joseph Jao Yiu
authors: JJ
authors: Sung
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006723:Hong Kong / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011159:Population Surveillance / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult