Diagnosis of HIV Delay: Lost Opportunities

P. Jiménez-Aguilar, A. Romero Palacios, G. García-Dominguez, J. Borrallo-Torrejon, E. Vergara-Moragues, E. Cruz-Rosales, A. Vergara de Campos

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Infectious Diseases Service, Puerto Real University Hospital, Cadiz, Spain.

DOI: 10.4236/wja.2013.33026                

Abstract

The diagnosis delay in new cases of HIV infection is a frequent fact. Our objective was to detect and analyse the lost opportunities and describe the characteristics of these patients. Method: The search was done by a revision of personal histories of new diagnosis of HIV infection from 1st January to 31st December 2011 in the database of VACH. We selected those that had consulted a doctor in the previous year in the Emergency area, Primary Care and Specialised Consultations in the database of the histories of the Public Health Service. We called low attendance if they came 1 - 3 times and high if over 3. We grouped patients into those that fulfilled criteria of diagnosis delay by count of CD4s. We called no diagnosis delay to those that had count of CD4 over 350, diagnosis delay under 350 and advanced disease under 200. Results: There were 107 new cases. The global percentage of DD was 61.7% of cases. From these, 45.38% fulfilled criteria of AD. It was possible to find information about the existence of previous sanitary attendance in 59 patients. From these 58% were diagnosed with delay, fulfilling criteria of AD in 27%. The predominant means of infection was sexual. 35 patients attended a healthcare level, 19 two and 5 three. 47.5% consulted over 3 times. They requested a total of 274 consultations. Discussion: The diagnosis delay is a reality. It took our attention that from 59 patients having requested previous medical assistance 58% were diagnosed with delay and 27% fulfilled criteria of AD. We found that almost half of them had been attended in 4 and up to 14 times, in some occasions with suggestive symptoms of HIV infection. Facing this discovery we think that some interventions should be undertaken to get an early diagnosis and the control of the outbreak.

Keywords

HIV; Diagnosis Delay

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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