HIV/AIDS Screening: Risk-based HIV testing does not detect majority of infected persons in healthcare settings

AIDSWEEKLY Plus; Monday, July 10, 2006
Staff Medical Writers

In a recently published report, investigators in the United States conducted a “retrospective review of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients between September 2001 and December 2003” to “evaluate opportunities for earlier human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis within a comprehensive public health care system.”

“One hundred twenty of 348 (34%) newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients had medical care within our system in the 3 years before diagnosis. One hundred five of 120 (88%) patients had at least 1 prior encounter in the emergency department or urgent care center, whereas just 12 (10%) HIV diagnoses were made in these 2 sites.

“Only 33 (28%) patients previously presented with an HIV clinical indicator condition or sexually transmitted infection,” T.C. Jenkins and colleagues at Denver Public Health reported.

“Although one-third of newly diagnosed HIV-infected patients had clinical visits in the 3 years before diagnosis,” said researchers, “few presented with clinical conditions typically associated with HIV infection.”

The authors concluded, “Targeted testing based on clinical presentations is not likely to result in substantially earlier HIV diagnosis. Routine screening in high prevalence settings could be more effective.”

Jenkins and colleagues published their study in Sexually Transmitted Diseases (Risk-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing fails to detect the majority of HIV-infected persons in medical care settings. Sex Transm Dis. 2006 May;33(5):329-33).

For additional information, contact E.M. Gardner, 605 Bannock St., MC 2600, Denver, CO 80204, USA.

The publisher of the journal Sexually Transmitted Diseases can be contacted at: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, 530 Walnut St., Philadelphia, PA 19106-3621, USA.

Keywords: Denver, Colorado, United States, HIV/AIDS, Routine Screening, Early Diagnosis, Medical Care Setting, Targeted Testing.

This article was prepared by AIDS Weekly editors from staff and other reports.

Reference

Jenkins TC, Gardner EM, Thrun MW, et al., “Risk-based human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) testing fails to detect the majority of HIV-infected persons in medical care Settings”, Sex Transm Dis. 2006 May;33(5):329-33.

PubMED Related articles Search

2006-07-10
AW060705

Copyright © 2006 - Charles Henderson, Publisher. All rights Reserved. Permission to reproduce granted to AEGIS by Charles W. Henderson. Authorization to reproduce for personal use granted granted by C. W. Henderson, Publisher, provided that the fee of US$4.50 per copy, per page is paid directly to the Copyright Clearance Center, 27 Congress Street, Salem, Massachusetts 01970, USA. Published by Charles Henderson, Publisher. Editorial & Publishing Office: P.O. Box 5528, Atlanta, GA 30307-0528 / Telephone: (800) 633-4931; Subscription Office: P.O. Box 830409, Birmingham, AL 35283-0409 / FAX: (205) 995-1588 http://www.newsrx.net

AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted grants from Boehringer Ingelheim, Elton John AIDS Foundation, Bridgestone/Firestone Charitable Trust, the National Library of Medicine, and donations from users like you. Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2006. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright © 1980,2006. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content.