Contributions to Early HIV Diagnosis Vary by Testing Venue
Author Information
Author(s): Michael S. Lyons, Christopher J. Lindsell, DeAnna A. Hawkins, Dana L. Raab, Alexander T. Trott, Carl J. Fichtenbaum
Primary Institution: University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Hypothesis
Diverse regional testing venues would vary significantly in the number of new diagnoses made with successful linkage to care and the initial CD4 count of those patients at the time of diagnosis.
Conclusion
Test venues varied by the number of new diagnoses made and the stage of illness at diagnosis.
Supporting Evidence
- 277 newly diagnosed patients met study criteria.
- Mean age of participants was 33 years.
- 77% of participants were male.
- 46% of participants were African-American.
- Median CD4 count at diagnosis was 324.
Takeaway
Different places where people get tested for HIV find new cases at different stages of the disease, and some places do a better job of finding cases early.
Methodology
Retrospective cohort study using structured chart review of newly diagnosed HIV patients referred to a regional treatment center from 1998 to 2003.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to the inclusion criteria favoring patients with advanced illness who were more likely to seek care.
Limitations
The study relied on records from a single HIV treatment center, which may not represent all testing venues and could bias results towards later diagnoses.
Participant Demographics
Mean age was 33 years, 77% male, and 46% African-American.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.008
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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