Late presentations among HIV-infected patients

Authors : Heval Can BILEK, Aydin DEVECI, Esra TANYEL

Pages : 172-175

Doi:10.5472/marumj.1120546

View : 18 | Download : 7

Publication Date : 2022-05-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Objective: The late diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(HIV); infection and, therefore, initiation of antiretroviral therapy insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(ART); in the advanced stages of the disease is still a significant problem in many countries. This study aimed to define the prevalence of late presentation and advanced HIV disease among newly diagnosed HIV infected patients. Patients and Methods: The medical records of HIV-infected patients aged 18 and over, diagnosed between January 2011 and December 2019, were analysed retrospectively. The patients were grouped into three-year periods according to the date of diagnosis. Results: Of the 280 patients with HIV infection, 44 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(15.7%); were female and 236 insert ignore into journalissuearticles values(84.3%); were male. It was found that 50.7% of the patients were late presenters, and 28.5% had advanced diseases. There was no statistical difference in the prevalence of late presentation and advanced HIV disease between the three-year periods. While there was no relationship between gender and late presentation, a statistically significant relationship was found between advanced age and late presentation. Conclusion: Despite advances in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV infection, the frequency of late presentation is still quite high, in Turkey. This situation highlights the importance of broad-based HIV screening programs to control the disease more effectively.
Keywords : HIV, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Late presentation, Turkey