This article provides an overview of the current epidemiology of HIV infection in Rhode Island, summarizes disease trends over the last decade, and describes circumstances surrounding patient diagnosis.
Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients newly diagnosed with HIV who presented to the Immunology Clinic of The Miriam Hospital in 2001 and 2010.
Results: From 2001 to 2010 there was an increase in patients reporting MSM (men who have sex with men) as their primary risk factor, and in diagnosis occurring at outpatient sites (p=.03). CD4 count at diagnosis was highest when diagnosed at an HIV testing site and lowest in inpatients (p=.0003). Late presenters were more likely to be tested because of illness (p=.001), as inpatients (p=.000), and heterosexuals (p=.017)).
Conclusions: MSM and minorities are overrepresented in the RI HIV population. Patients without traditional risk factors are more likely to present late and are poorly served by historic screening practices.
Keywords: CD4; HIV/AIDS; MSM.