Journal of AIDS & Clinical Research

High Rates of Fatality Due to AIDS without Universal HIV Testing

Abstract

Shiva Shaan Bassi, Martin Bland J and Fabiola Martin

We audited the cause of death and surrogate markers of HIV patients living in a HIV low prevalence area of the UK. Fatality rates from 2001-2010 were compared to two high prevalence areas. 16/104 newly diagnosed patients died. The median time from diagnosis to death was 4.2 years (<1month-18 years): 6 (38%) died <12 months of diagnosis, 3 (19%) within 5 years, seven (44%) >10 years later; twelve (75%) were male, twelve (75%) Caucasian, eight (50%) were infected through heterosexual intercourse; median CD4 count was 44 cells/microL (range 2-475). Twelve (75%) patients died of AIDS, 4 (25%) of Pneumocystis jerovecii pneumonia. The observed case-fatality rate was 2.3 (95% CI 1.4-3.9) fold higher in this low prevalence area compared to high prevalence areas (p<0.001), where universal HIV testing is promoted. It is possible that an early detection of HIV through universal instead of targeted HIV testing in sexually active adults in all areas of the UK could lead to a reduction of premature death due to AIDS.