Objectives: To examine the differences in the spectrum of AIDS-defining opportunistic illnesses (OIs) across sub-groups based upon gender, race and associated risk for HIV acquisition among AIDS cases in Massachusetts. Methods: Cumulative incidences (CI) of major OIs among AIDS cases were compared across the genders, race and three major HIV-exposure risk groups of men who have sex with men (MSM), injection drug user (IDU) and heterosexual. Results: The most prevalent OIs among men were: Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) 48%, Mycobacterium avium infection (MAI) 17%, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) 16%, esophageal candidiasis 15%, and toxoplasmosis of brain 7%. Among women the most frequent conditions were: PCP 41%, esophageal candidiasis 22%, MAI 14% and toxoplasmosis 9%. These frequencies vary widely across different risk groups. The cumulative incidence of most common OIs among MSM, IDU and heterosexual risk groups, in that order of frequencies were: PCP (51%, 45% and 41%), MAI (18%, 16% and 14%), KS (18%, 5% and 5%), esophageal candidiasis (14%, 19% and 19%) and toxoplasmosis (5%, 8% and 13%). The most common OIs among the three races-white, black and Hispanic, respectively, were: PCP (50%, 44% and 42%), MAI (17%, 17% and 12%), KS (18%, 5% and 5%), esophageal candidiasis (14%, 19% and 19%) and toxoplasmosis (5%, 8% and 13%). Conclusions: These reults demonstrate differences in the frequency of OIs among AIDS patients based upon gender, race and risk groups. Prophylactic measures for the prevention of OIs need to be targeted in accordance with these differences among different sub-groups of AIDS cases.
Learning Objectives: This analysis helps develop differential appraoch for the prevention and treatment of AIDS-related opportunistic illnesses (OIs) among sub-groups of AIDS cases based upon gender, race and risk for HIV-infection.
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Epidemiology
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.