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9th Annual Conference Of The British HIV Association [BHIVA]24 – 26 April 2003, University of Manchester
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[AUTHOR(S):] G Sethi1, E Fox2, IG Williams3, CA Sabin3, CJ Lacey1, A Shaw4 and M Kapembwa4
1 St Mary's Hospital, 2 St George's Hospital, 3 Royal Free and University College London Hospitals and 4Northwick Park Hospital, London, UK
BHIVA Conf 2003 Apr 24-26;9:O29
BACKGROUND: The South Asian (SA) HIV pandemic is one of the most rapidly growing worldwide. Currently, there are no data describing HIV+ SAs in the UK.
METHODS: Retrospective case-note review using a standardised proforma of all SAs presenting to four London HIV treatment centres between January 1985 and December 2002. Data on demographics, reasons for HIV test, CD4, viral load (VL) and CDC stage at diagnosis were collected on those defining their ethnicity as Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi or Sri Lankan.
RESULTS: 116 patients were identified, 22 diagnosed in 1989–1995 and 87 in 1996–2002, 88 male, 28 female. Regions of origin included: Africa (39%), the Indian subcontinent (35%) and the UK (16%). 81% were of Indian ethnicity. Risk factors included heterosexual 61 (53%), homosexual 36 (31%), unknown 13 (11%), injecting drug users (IDUs) two (2%), blood transfusion four (3%). At diagnosis, the median age was 34 years and the median CD4 count was 289 cells/µl, with 41% having symptomatic HIV or AIDS. Heterosexuals compared with gay men were: more likely to present at a lower median CD4 count (214 versus 390, P=0.03); have an AIDS-defining illness (ADI) (17/74; 23% versus 5/36; 14%: P=0.3); and were significantly less likely to be diagnosed in a genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic (2/74; 3% versus 17/36; 47% P<0.001). Pneumocystis jiroveci pneumonia (PCP) (n=8; 35%) and tuberculosis (n=8; 35%) were the commonest ADIs.
CONCLUSIONS: In order to respond appropriately to the evolving epidemic among SAs, it is critical to understand the socio-cultural differences that may lead to non-attendance at GUM clinics and late presentation.
PRESENTING AUTHOR: G Sethi
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Copyright © 2003 - British HIV Association (BHIVA) Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the BHIVA Organising Secretariat 1 Mountview Court, 310 Friern Barnet Lane, London N20 0LD