9TH EUROPEAN AIDS CONFERENCE (EACS) 1st EACS RESISTANCE & PHARMACOLOGY WORKSHOP October 25 - 29, 2003 Warsaw, Poland

Background of Study: Productivity costs related to paid work in HIV infected patients represent an important component of the societal costs of HIV disease. In this paper we determined the production losses to society due to HIV infection. In addition, we analyzed factors associated with the ability to work in HIV infected patients.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study including all patients enrolled in the Swiss HIV Cohort Study in 2002. Productivity losses in this population were based on the patients' ability to work and the average wage rate in Switzerland in 2001 (6100 CHF). Factors associated with the ability to work were analyzed in a multivariate ordinary logistic regression model (proportional odds model).

Results: A total of 5493 patients were included in the study. The production losses in this population were estimated at 134,6 Mio CHF per year with an average monthly production loss of 2041 CHF (SD: 2635) per patient. Presence of a stable partnership (OR: 1.51, 95%CI: 1.41-1.62) and higher education (OR: 1.71, 95%CI: 1.58-1.84), adjusted for age, sex, CD4 count, time since HIV infection and history of previous injecting drug use, were independently associated with a higher ability to work in HIV infected patients.

Conclusions: Productivity losses to society due to HIV infection are substantial. Given a patient's clinical health status, a higher education and a stable partnership is associated with a higher ability to work. Social characteristics may influence the cost-effectiveness of health care interventions in HIV-infected patients.

Presenting Author: MD, DSc Pedram Sendi, Division of Infection Diseases & Institute for Clinical Epidemiology, Basel University Hospital, Bas, Kantonsspital Basel, Petersgraben 4, 4031 Basel, 4031, Basel, Switzerland, Phone: +41 61 265 31 02

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