Does European or non-European origin influence health care and prognosis for UTV patients in Europe?

A. Blaxhult, A. Mocroft, A. Phillips, J. Van Lunzen, Z. Bentwich, G. Stergiou, R. Colebunders, T. L. Benfield, F. Mulcahy, J. D. Lundgren

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

15 Scopus citations

Abstract

Background Previous studies, especially in North America, have shown that socio-economic factors may influence the prognosis for patients with HIV. This study was performed in order to determine if European or non-European origin influence provision of health-care and survival among HIV patients in Europe. Methods Fifty HIV clinics in 17 European countries are involved in a European prospective, observational multicentre study. In total, 7230 consecutive patients with HIV attending a routine clinic visit were included in the study. Data on demographics, treatment and laboratory results were collected at time of recruitment into the study and thereafter every 6 months. Results The median CD4+ lymphocyte count at AIDS diagnosis was 60/mm3, and was similar for all ethnic groups (P = 0.87, Kruskall-Wallis test). The median terminal CD4+ lymphocyte count was 17/mm3 and, again, there was no significant difference between continents of origin (P = 0.35, Kruskall-Wallis test). Antiretroviral drugs were initiated at similar median CD4+ lymphocyte counts and there was no statistically significant difference in survival after a diagnosis of AIDS. Conclusions AIDS was diagnosed at the same level of immunodeficiency independent of European or nonEuropean origin and antiretroviral drugs were provided at similar levels of immunodeficiency. No differences in survival depending on continent of origin was found. In spite of these encouraging findings concerns remain that belonging to an ethnic minority can be an obstacle in getting into contact with treatment facilities and thus benefiting from developments in the management of HIV.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-9
Number of pages8
JournalHIV Medicine
Volume1
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Jan 1999
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • AIDS
  • Ethnicity
  • HIV
  • Health-care
  • Race

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Health Policy
  • Infectious Diseases
  • Pharmacology (medical)

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