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13/05/2005
Study reveals many HIV patients not diagnosed early
According to a report published in the BMJ Online, many patients in the UK and Ireland are not having their HIV infection diagnosed sufficiently early.
A study published online by the BMJ today said that these findings reflected national trends reported by the Health Protection Agency.
Researchers surveyed over 100 centres providing adult HIV care in the UK and Ireland for patients presenting with a new diagnosis of HIV infection in January to March 2003.
Of 977 patients identified, one third presented late. This was more common in older patients and in black Africans, but less likely in homosexual men, regardless of age and ethnicity. Less than half of patients (41%) were diagnosed as part of routine screening.
In the year before diagnosis, 168 patients (17%) sought medical care with HIV related symptoms but remained undiagnosed. Data showed that 160 patients had a white blood cell count below the threshold for initiating treatment according to British HIV Association guidelines, indicating that treatment may have been delayed.
"We found a significant number of missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis of HIV infection," say the authors.
There are well recognised advantages of early diagnosis of HIV and starting appropriate treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy, the reports' authors said. To improve this situation, the proportion of people diagnosed as having HIV as part of routine screening needs to increase, with people at risk being encouraged to have an HIV test.
Healthcare professionals' awareness of factors associated with late presentation of HIV infection and conditions likely to be related to HIV also need to increase.
Improving the offering and uptake of HIV testing both as part of routine screening and as indicated by associated medical conditions should reduce the number of undiagnosed HIV infections, the report concluded.
(SP)
A study published online by the BMJ today said that these findings reflected national trends reported by the Health Protection Agency.
Researchers surveyed over 100 centres providing adult HIV care in the UK and Ireland for patients presenting with a new diagnosis of HIV infection in January to March 2003.
Of 977 patients identified, one third presented late. This was more common in older patients and in black Africans, but less likely in homosexual men, regardless of age and ethnicity. Less than half of patients (41%) were diagnosed as part of routine screening.
In the year before diagnosis, 168 patients (17%) sought medical care with HIV related symptoms but remained undiagnosed. Data showed that 160 patients had a white blood cell count below the threshold for initiating treatment according to British HIV Association guidelines, indicating that treatment may have been delayed.
"We found a significant number of missed opportunities for earlier diagnosis of HIV infection," say the authors.
There are well recognised advantages of early diagnosis of HIV and starting appropriate treatment with highly active antiretroviral therapy, the reports' authors said. To improve this situation, the proportion of people diagnosed as having HIV as part of routine screening needs to increase, with people at risk being encouraged to have an HIV test.
Healthcare professionals' awareness of factors associated with late presentation of HIV infection and conditions likely to be related to HIV also need to increase.
Improving the offering and uptake of HIV testing both as part of routine screening and as indicated by associated medical conditions should reduce the number of undiagnosed HIV infections, the report concluded.
(SP)
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26 November 2010
Thousands Of HIV Sufferers 'Undiagnosed'
The number of people living with HIV in the UK reached an estimated 86,500 in 2009, but more than a quarter, almost 22,500, were unaware of their infection, according to figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today. A total of 6,630 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2009 – 4,400 men and 2,230 women.
Thousands Of HIV Sufferers 'Undiagnosed'
The number of people living with HIV in the UK reached an estimated 86,500 in 2009, but more than a quarter, almost 22,500, were unaware of their infection, according to figures released by the Health Protection Agency (HPA) today. A total of 6,630 people were newly diagnosed with HIV in 2009 – 4,400 men and 2,230 women.
26 January 2006
Diagnoses of new HIV infections remain high
The number of new cases of HIV recorded in the UK continued to grow at a high rate in 2005. Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures revealed that there were 5,560 new HIV diagnoses reported for 2005, but the figure is expected to exceed 7,750 when all the reports for the year are known.
Diagnoses of new HIV infections remain high
The number of new cases of HIV recorded in the UK continued to grow at a high rate in 2005. Health Protection Agency (HPA) figures revealed that there were 5,560 new HIV diagnoses reported for 2005, but the figure is expected to exceed 7,750 when all the reports for the year are known.
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Clinic Mistakenly Leaks Patients' HIV Status
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07 November 2006
Patient tests offered after hospital worker diagnosed with HIV
More than a thousand patients who were treated at four hospitals in the Midlands are being offered HIV tests after it was revealed that a health worker who treated them was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis B.
Patient tests offered after hospital worker diagnosed with HIV
More than a thousand patients who were treated at four hospitals in the Midlands are being offered HIV tests after it was revealed that a health worker who treated them was diagnosed with HIV and hepatitis B.
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