Keenlyside RA, Phillips AN, Johnson AM, Evans B, Barton S, Brettle R; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: C366 (abstract no. PoC 4740).

Middlesex Hospital, London.

OBJECTIVE: To better understand the clinical features and progression of HIV infection in women in the U.K. METHODS: Review of National Surveillance data and the establishment of a multicentre prospective study of women with HIV infection seen in hospitals in the U.K. FINDINGS: Among 5,065 cases of AIDS and 16,248 cases of HIV infection reported in the UK by September 30, 1991, 288 (5.6%) and 1848 (11.3%), respectively were in women. The characteristics of women with AIDS are: Ethnic group-53% were White, 35% Black, 2% Oriental and 10% Other/Unknown. Exposure category-Injecting drug use 25%, Blood products 18% and Heterosexual exposure 57% [Among the latter, 11% were contracted from a "high risk" partner, 40% from partners from countries with predominantly heterosexual exposure and 6% from other partners from the UK]. Geographical distribution Cases acquired from heterosexual exposure have been reported mainly from the London region (70%) and only 4% from Scotland. However, injecting-drug related cases are more evenly distributed (46% from England and Wales and 37% from Scotland). Heterosexual contact has increased as an exposure factor, and in 1988 surpassed injecting drug use as a percentage of newly reported cases in men and women. So far there have been no differences in the frequency of AIDS defining illnesses reported in non-homosexual men and women. The MRC Collaborative Study of HIV infection in women in the U.K. Women with HIV infection have been seen in increasing numbers in clinics in London and Edinburgh since 1984. In January 1992 the MRC funded the setting up of a collaborative study of HIV infection in women in the UK. So far we have identified 546 women with HIV infection who are being seen in 8 hospitals in London and one in Edinburgh. The exposure resulting in HIV transmission was believed to be heterosexual in 49%, injecting drug use 43% and other/unknown in 8%. Among women for whom detailed information was available their most recent CD4 count was greater than 99/mm3 in 34%: 200-499/mm3 in 36%: less than 200/mm3 in 30% and 13% had been diagnosed as having AIDS. These women, and newly enrolled patients, will be invited to participate in a prospective study of clinical progression and outcome of disease by collaborating investigators based in each of these centres. Of particular interest will be the gynaecological manifestations of disease and the relationship between CD4 count and illness in patients in care.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• CD4 Lymphocyte Count
• Disease Progression
• England
• Female
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Humans
• London
• Longitudinal Studies
• Male
• Prospective Studies
• Scotland
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous
• Wales

Other ID:

• 92402407

UI: 102200121

From Meeting Abstracts