title: Profile of patients diagnosed with AIDS at age 60 and above in Brazil, from 1980 until June 2009, compared to those diagnosed at age 18 to 59.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to learn more about people diagnosed with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) at age 60 and above in Brazil, and to compare them with people diagnosed at a younger age.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study was based on the analysis of secondary data from the Brazilian AIDS Program. The study population consisted of people diagnosed with AIDS at age 60 and above. The comparison group was comprised of a 20% random sample of people diagnosed at age 18 to 59, frequency-matched by year of diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  544,846 cases of AIDS were reported in Brazil from 1980 until June 2009. Over 90% of cases were diagnosed between 18 and 59 years of age, and 13,657 (2.5%) at age 60 and above. The first case of AIDS among the elderly was reported in 1984. The comparison group consisted of 101,528 patients. Gender proportion was similar for both groups, and the proportion of people identified with AIDS after death in the Brazilian Mortality Information System (SIM) was 4% higher among the elderly. Both groups were also similar regarding the region of residence; a markedly higher proportion lived in Southeastern Brazil. Older people were more likely to have lower education and to have contracted AIDS by heterosexual contact, and less likely to be intravenous drug users. Male to female ratio among those diagnosed with AIDS at or above age 60 decreased over the years, in the same way as observed for the whole cohort. Mortality was higher among men in both groups. CD4 category (taken closest to the date of AIDS diagnosis) was very similar in both groups.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The characteristics of the epidemic among the elderly show similarities to the younger group considering gender distribution and CD4 category, but differ regarding educational level and exposure category. Also, the elderly were more likely not to have their AIDS condition promptly diagnosed.
authors.affiliation: School of Medicine, Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. marisefonseca@medicina.ufmg.br
authors.forename: Marise Oliveira
authors.initials: MO
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Unaí
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Tupinambás
authors.forename: Artur Iuri Alves de
authors.initials: AI
authors.lastname: Sousa
authors.forename: Kathy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Baisley
authors.forename: Dirceu Bartolomeu
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Greco
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000401:mortality* / Q000635:transmission; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D017678:Sex Distribution; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents