title: Changes in the socio-demographics, risk behaviors, clinical and immunological profile of a cohort of the Puerto Rican population living with HIV: an update of the Retrovirus Research Center (1992-2008).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We describe the changes in the socio demographic, risk behavior, immunological and clinical trends profiles of a cohort HIV patients followed at the Retrovirus Research Center, at baseline and study periods interval by periods intervals: 1992-1997, 1998-2003, and 2004-2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a cross-sectional study of a longitudinal cohort comprised of 4016 HIV/AIDS patients admitted to the RRC since January 1992. Data collected include socio-demographic variables; risk related variables; psychological variables; and clinical variable by periods of study. RESULTS. The most common AIDS defining conditions observed in patients were: Pneumocistis Cariini pneumonia (PCP), toxoplasmosis of brain (TP), and wasting syndrome (WS). Chronic conditions are more prevalent than AIDS-defining conditions in the cohort of patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Understanding the socio demographic, HIV risk behavior profile; and the immunological and clinical trends among HIV patients is critical for redesigning services and programs oriented in HIV patient care.
authors.affiliation: Retrovirus Research Center and the Internal Medicine Department, Universidad Central del Caribe, School of Medicine, Call Box 60-327, Bayamon, PR 00960-6032. christine.miranda@uccaribe.edu
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Miranda
authors.forename: Diana M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: Raul O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Ramon
authors.forename: Miriam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Velázquez
authors.forename: Angel M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Mayor
authors.forename: Robert F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Hunter-Mellado
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003710:Demography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D012309:Risk-Taking; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013997:Time Factors