Decade of HIV in Rhode Island: Demographic and Clinical Characteristics of Patients Diagnosed in 2001 and 2010

摘要

This article provides an overview of the current epidemiologyof HIV infection in Rhode Island, summarizesdisease trends over the last decade, and describes circumstancessurrounding patient diagnosis.Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review ofpatients newly diagnosed with HIV who presented tothe Immunology Clinic of The Miriam Hospital in 2001and 2010.Results: From 2001 to 2010 there was an increase inpatients reporting MSM (men who have sex with men)as their primary risk factor, and in diagnosis occurringat outpatient sites (p=.03). CD4 count at diagnosis washighest when diagnosed at an HIV testing site and lowestin inpatients (p=.0003). Late presenters were more likelyto be tested because of illness (p=.001), as inpatients(p=.000), and heterosexuals (p=.017)).Conclusions: MSM and minorities are overrepresentedin the RI HIV population. Patients without traditionalrisk factors are more likely to present late and are poorlyserved by historic screening practices.