Late presenters among persons with a new HIV diagnosis in Italy, 2010–2011


immagine articoli scientifici ARSAutori: Camoni L, Raimondo M, Regine V, Salfa MC, Suligoi B and the regional representatives of the HIV Surveillance System
Rivista: BMC Public Health 2013, 13:281


BACKGROUND: In Western Europe, about 50% of newly diagnosed HIV-positive individuals are diagnosed at a late stage disease and enter in care late (i.e. with a CD4 count ≤350 μL/μL). The aim of the present study is to analyze the characteristics and the factors associated with being diagnosed late or at an advanced stage of disease among persons with a new HIV diagnosis in Italy, in the period 2010–2011.
METHODS: We used individual data on new HIV diagnoses reported by the HIV surveillance system in 2010 and in 2011. Persons with CD4 ≤350 cells/μL or diagnosed with AIDS (regardless of the CD4 cell count) were defined as late presenters (LP); persons with CD4 ≤ 200 cells/μL or AIDS (regardless of the CD4 cell count) were defined as presenting with advanced HIV disease (AHD).

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