Delayed diagnosis of HIV: missed opportunities and triggers for testing in the Australian Capital Territory

Sexual Health ◽  
2006 ◽  
Vol 3 (4) ◽  
pp. 291 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elizabeth A. McDonald ◽  
Marian J. Currie ◽  
Francis J. Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Health Centre ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Hiv Test

Background: To determine (i) the rate of delayed HIV diagnosis; (ii) the missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis; and (iii) to identify who initiates HIV testing and what triggers them to do so. Methods: An analysis of the case records of all HIV-positive patients who attended Canberra Sexual Health Centre (CSHC) between 1985 and 2005 was conducted. Results: During the study period, 319/355 CSHC patients diagnosed with HIV had sufficient data to allow analysis regarding the timeliness of their diagnosis. Of these, 52 (16.3%) received a delayed diagnosis. The rate of delayed diagnosis was 9.7% (95% CI 5.1–15.3) in the 1980s and 25.6% (95% CI 13–42.1) between 2000 and 2004. There were no statistically significant differences in sociodemographic or behavioural characteristics between patients with delayed and timely HIV diagnoses. To determine who initiated testing, and if there were missed opportunities for testing, the records of CSHC patients diagnosed with HIV between 1995 and 2005 were examined. Of the 115 people diagnosed in this period, only 71 had documentation concerning missed opportunities for testing. Forty-one of these (58%) had been in contact with a health professional while infected, but before their diagnosis of HIV and 39/41 (95%) had a significant risk factor in their history that could have initiated an HIV test. Clinicians initiated testing for 43.5% of the patients, 11.3% were identified through contact tracing and only 28.7% were self referred for testing. Conclusions: Late diagnosis of HIV is common in the Australian Capital Territory and may have increased over time. Clinicians need to be aware of the sometimes-subtle manifestations of early and late HIV infection and have a lower threshold for HIV antibody testing.

An audit of contact tracing for cases of chlamydia in the Australian Capital Territory

Sexual Health ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 255 ◽  
Author(s):  
Danelle O. England ◽  
Marian J. Currie ◽  
Francis J Bowden
Keyword(s):  
Health Centre ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Chlamydia Infection ◽  
Chlamydia Screening ◽  
Australian Capital Territory ◽  
Background Rate ◽  
Sexually Transmitted ◽  
Australian Capital ◽  
Sexual Contacts ◽  
Index Cases

Background: Contact tracing is one of the central pillars of the management of sexually transmitted infections. The aims of this audit were to determine the yield of chlamydia infection from contact tracing the sexual partners of individuals diagnosed with chlamydia and to evaluate and compare the effectiveness of contact tracing undertaken at the Communicable Diseases Control Section (CDCS) of Australian Capital Territory (ACT) Health and the Canberra Sexual Health Centre (the clinic). Methods: A retrospective review of the notification records and contact-tracing documentation was undertaken at CDCS and the clinic from 1 September 2002 to 30 September 2003 (13 months). Results: The background rate of chlamydia in those tested in the ACT community is 3–5%. During the study period, 512 cases of chlamydia were notified to CDCS. Of these, 351 were referred for contact tracing, 293 by CDCS and 98 by the clinic. Of the 437 nominated sexual contacts (average of 1.12 per index case), 272 (62.2%) were contacted, 125 (28.6%) were tested and 51 (11.7%; 95% CI 8.8–15.1) tested positive for chlamydia (15.5%; 95% CI 11.5–20.6% in sexual contacts of CDCS index cases and 7.8%; 95% CI 4.8–12.5% in those of the clinic patients). Contact tracing through the CDCS reached significantly more nominated sexual contacts (78.4% v. 41.7%; P = 0.001) and significantly more of the nominated sexual contacts of index cases reported to CDCS were described as tested (34.7% v. 20.8%; P = 0.01). The average time taken to identify each chlamydia-positive sexual contact was 6.8 hours. Conclusions: Contact tracing more than doubled the case finding effectiveness of chlamydia screening, but was time consuming. These results suggest that provider-initiated contact tracing has clinical and public health value, but that the cost-effectiveness of this approach to chlamydia control should be further evaluated.

Late diagnosis of HIV: A lookback on cases in North Cumbria

2019 ◽  
Vol 30 (11) ◽  
pp. 1124-1126
Author(s):  
B Khalifeh ◽  
M Phillips ◽  
E Barton
Keyword(s):  
Catchment Area ◽  
Late Diagnosis ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Unexplained Weight Loss ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Low Prevalence ◽  
Single Figure ◽  
Rural Catchment

Late diagnosis of HIV remains a threat to personal and public health – both increasing the morbidity and mortality of the person and also increasing the chance of unknowingly transmitting HIV. Many HIV testing initiatives, including those of the British HIV Association (BHIVA), focus on levels of high prevalence (greater than 2:1000). However, late diagnosis can be an issue in areas of low prevalence – areas which can be less densely populated and in some cases classified as rural. In our rural catchment area, late diagnosis is an issue with 67% diagnosed late in 2015 (which is skewed by the single figure diagnoses). This lookback examined the number of missed opportunities for HIV diagnosis over a seven-year period and found that where diagnoses were made late in the context of a person having previously presented for care, unexplained weight loss, blood dyscrasias and lymphadenopathy were the most common presentations that could have triggered a HIV test.

scholarly journals 954. Missed opportunities for HIV Screening in the Emergency Department

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S508-S509
Author(s):  
Amanda Hirsch ◽  
Christopher F Carpenter
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Transmission Rate ◽  
Retrospective Chart Review ◽  
The United States ◽  
Hiv Screening ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Diagnosis Rate

Abstract Background There are 1.14 million people infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the United States, and only about 86% are diagnosed. HIV diagnosis is the first step to care and expanded testing is essential to reduce transmission. Individuals with undiagnosed HIV have a transmission rate 3.5 times higher than those aware of their infection. Individuals seeking testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) represent a higher risk population for HIV infection. Despite revised Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommendations to expand HIV testing in healthcare settings, testing remains low. A significant obstacle to expanded testing, especially in emergency departments (EDs), is concern about ensuring appropriate HIV test tracking and follow-up. Methods We performed a retrospective chart review of patients presenting with symptoms of an STI between January 1, 2015 and July 8, 2019 at eight Beaumont Health EDs in Southeast Michigan. De-identified data was collected from the electronic health record (EHR) for patients aged 10 and older who had testing for one or more STIs including gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. Patients were evaluated for concurrent HIV testing during the encounter, and patients known to be HIV infected were excluded. Results Of 32,640 encounters during which patients not known to be HIV infected were tested for STIs, only 68 (0.21%) included HIV antibody/antigen screening. Of those tested, only one (1.47%) returned reactive. The remaining 67 screenings returned non-reactive. Applying only 10% of this diagnosis rate to the total number of STI encounters suggests an opportunity to diagnose 47 additional individuals; applying 50% of this rate and the corresponding value is 239 individuals. Conclusion These results highlight the need for expanded HIV screening in EDs. Systematic HIV test tracking and follow-up removes this burden from ED providers and enables expanded HIV testing in these settings. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

scholarly journals Missed Opportunities for HIV Diagnosis

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-17 ◽  
Author(s):  
Asia Downing ◽  
Julia B. Garcia-Diaz
Keyword(s):  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Study Cohort ◽  
Health Issues ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Missed Opportunities ◽  
Change Behavior ◽  
Positive Individual ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Multiple Health ◽  
Made In

It has been previously shown that patients may present for multiple health issues in the years preceding their initial HIV diagnosis. This retrospective cohort study analyzed the data of patients with a new HIV diagnosis, at Ochsner Health System between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2012. The primary end point was missed opportunities, the number of healthcare visits these patients made in the 2 years prior to being diagnosed with HIV. The 125 patients in the study cohort had 649 healthcare visits during which an HIV test was not performed. These missed opportunities are the key to capturing the undiagnosed and unaware HIV-positive individual. Primary care is an ideal setting to conduct HIV testing for those who have access to regular health care. However, nontraditional providers should also be encouraged to conduct HIV testing regardless of their ability to provide treatment because evidence shows that knowledge of the diagnosis may change behavior.

Delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in Victoria 1994 to 2006

Sexual Health ◽  
2009 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chris Lemoh ◽  
Rebecca Guy ◽  
Keflemariam Yohannes ◽  
Jenny Lewis ◽  
Alan Street ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Drug Use ◽  
Hiv Infection ◽  
Delayed Diagnosis ◽  
Injecting Drug Use ◽  
Sexual History ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Male Homosexual ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
High Prevalence ◽  
Epidemiological Characteristics

Background: The identification of factors associated with delayed diagnosis of HIV infection in Victoria, Australia was the aim of the present study. Methods: Demographic and epidemiological characteristics of cases notified to the Victorian HIV surveillance database between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 2006 were analysed. Delayed diagnosis was defined as: CD4 count below 200 cells mm−3 at HIV diagnosis or diagnosis of AIDS earlier than 3 months after HIV diagnosis. Results: Diagnosis of HIV was delayed in 627 (22.6%) of 2779 cases. Of these, 528 (84.2%) had either a high-risk exposure or were born in a high-prevalence country. The most common exposure was male homosexual contact in 64.3% of cases. Independent risk factors for delayed diagnosis were: older age at diagnosis (30–39 years odds ratio [OR] 2.15, ≥ 50 years OR 7.50, P < 0.001), exposure via routes other than male homosexual sex or injecting drug use (heterosexual sex OR 2.51, P < 0.001, unknown/other route OR 4.24, P < 0.001); birth in Southern/Eastern Europe (OR 2.54), South-east Asia (OR 2.70) or the Horn of Africa/North Africa (OR 3.71, P < 0.001), and male gender (OR 0.47 for females, P < 0.001). Conclusion: Delay in the diagnosis of HIV infection is common in Victoria, but potentially avoidable in the majority of cases. Most people with delayed diagnosis had a history of male homosexual contact, injecting drug use, birth in a high-prevalence country or sexual contact with such individuals. An accurate sexual history, together with knowledge of their country of birth, should identify most individuals who should be offered an HIV test.

scholarly journals Promoting HIV indicator condition-guided testing in hospital settings (PROTEST 2.0): study protocol for a multicentre interventional study

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Saskia J. Bogers ◽  
Maarten F. Schim van der Loeff ◽  
Udi Davidovich ◽  
Anders Boyd ◽  
Marc van der Valk ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
The Netherlands ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Hospital Setting ◽  
Audit And Feedback ◽  
Interventional Study ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Hiv Test ◽  
Undiagnosed Hiv

Abstract Background Late presentation remains a key barrier towards controlling the HIV epidemic. Indicator conditions (ICs) are those that are AIDS-defining, associated with a prevalence of undiagnosed HIV > 0.1%, or whose clinical management would be impeded if an HIV infection were undiagnosed. IC-guided HIV testing is an effective strategy in identifying undiagnosed HIV, but opportunities for earlier HIV diagnosis through IC-guided testing are being missed. We present a protocol for an interventional study to improve awareness of IC-guided testing and increase HIV testing in patients presenting with ICs in a hospital setting. Methods We designed a multicentre interventional study to be implemented at five hospitals in the region of Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Seven ICs were selected for which HIV test ratios (proportion of patients with an IC tested for HIV) will be measured: tuberculosis, cervical/vulvar cancer or high-grade cervical/vulvar dysplasia, malignant lymphoma, hepatitis B and C, and peripheral neuropathy. Prior to the intervention, a baseline assessment of HIV test ratios across ICs will be performed in eligible patients (IC diagnosed January 2015 through May 2020, ≥18 years, not known HIV positive) and an assessment of barriers and facilitators for HIV testing amongst relevant specialties will be conducted using qualitative (interviews) and quantitative methods (questionnaires). The intervention phase will consist of an educational intervention, including presentation of baseline results as competitive graphical audit and feedback combined with discussion on implementation and opportunities for improvement. The effect of the intervention will be assessed by comparing HIV test ratios of the pre-intervention and post-intervention periods. The primary endpoint is the HIV test ratio within ±3 months of IC diagnosis. Secondary endpoints are the HIV test ratio within ±6 months of diagnosis, ratio ever tested for HIV, HIV positivity percentage, proportion of late presenters and proportion with known HIV status prior to initiating treatment for their IC. Discussion This protocol presents a strategy aimed at increasing awareness of the benefits of IC-guided testing and increasing HIV testing in patients presenting with ICs in hospital settings to identify undiagnosed HIV in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Trial registration Dutch trial registry: NL7521. Registered 14 February 2019.

scholarly journals AB0702 PITFALLS IN THE DIAGNOSIS OF COVID-19 – EXPERIENCES FROM A RHEUMATOLOGY OUTPATIENT CLINIC

2021 ◽  
Vol 80 (Suppl 1) ◽  
pp. 1383.2-1383
Author(s):  
S. G. Werner ◽  
H. E. Langer ◽  
P. Höhenrieder ◽  
R. Chatelain
Keyword(s):  
Outpatient Clinic ◽  
Virus Disease ◽  
Disease Onset ◽  
Signs And Symptoms ◽  
Contact Tracing ◽  
Igg Antibodies ◽  
Antibody Testing ◽  
Antibody Titers ◽  
Rheumatology Outpatient

Background:PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) is generally considered the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis in the early stages of SARS-CoV-2 (severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2) infection. However, in our rheumatology outpatient clinic we observed a significant discrepancy between clinical evidence of COVID-19 and PCR results.Objectives:Aim of this retrospective study was to analyze the significance of PCR and serologic tests in the diagnosis of COVID-19 (Corona Virus Disease 2019) in a cohort of patients with rheumatic diseases.Methods:Between March 2020 and January 2021, 35 patients with a history of established COVID-19 or typical signs and symptoms were identified on the occasion of a routine rheumatology follow-up examination in our institution. Previous diagnostic work-up in external facilities (results of PCR or antibody testing, imaging) was documented. Antibody ELISA-tests (IgG, IgA, IgM, Euroimmun) were performed in patients reporting typical signs and symptoms of COVID-19 in the past.Results:PCR diagnostics had been performed in 15/35 patients (43%), in 13/35 (39%) at the onset of the first symptoms, in 2 subjects only 2 months later. PCR was positive in 7/13 (54%) of those tested early, but negative in the two patients tested later. In 29/35 patients (83%) SARS-CoV-2-ELISA tests were performed on the occasion of the routine rheumatologic examination (interval between first symptoms and testing on average 98 days, median86, range 4-283 days). In two of the initially negative individuals the second PCR was positive. ELISA tests were positive in all patients. SARS-CoV-2 IgM antibodies were positive in only two patients (however 55 and 71 days after disease onset), n=8/29 (28%) IgG only, n=9/29 (31%) IgG and IgA, n=12/29 (41%) IgA only. In these subjects, IgG antibodies did not develop even in the further course. Antibody titers were in part very high, but in part also very low (only just above the normal value), so even low titers were diagnostic obviously. In all patients with negative PCR, ELISA was positive and retrospectively led to confirmation of the diagnosis. Only in 13/35 patients (37%) diagnosis had been made with the onset of the first symptoms or in the course of clinically manifest disease and had led to appropriate quarantine measures and contact tracing by the health authorities. In contrast, in the majority of patients (63%), the diagnosis of COVID-19 infection was only made retrospectively on the occasion of a routine rheumatologic follow-up. However, 5 of these 22 patients (23%) had quarantined themselves during the symptomatic phase. Titer histories were available from 12 patients. The titer became negative in 7 patients, after a mean of 188 days (median 202, min 51, max 296 days), and remained positive in 5 individuals (mean 190 days, median 191, min 122, max 260 days). The change of the titer was independent of disease severity or antirheumatic therapy.Conclusion:The results suggest that the importance of PCR in the diagnosis of COVID-19 may be overestimated. Therefore, antibody testing for SARS-CoV-2 should be performed in cases of clinical suspicion and negative PCR. In antibody diagnostics, special features were observed compared to other viruses, in particular, in some patients only low antibody titers or the absence of seroconversion with lack of development of IgG antibodies. Normalization of antibody titers in some patients supports the recommendation to vaccinate even after expired COVID-19 disease.Disclosure of Interests:None declared

scholarly journals 1120. Impact of Training Residents to Improve HIV Screening in a Teaching Hospital in Mexico City

2020 ◽  
Vol 7 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S590-S590
Author(s):  
Lorena Guerrero-Torres ◽  
Isaac Núñez-Saavedra ◽  
Yanink Caro-Vega ◽  
Brenda Crabtree-Ramírez
Keyword(s):  
Emergency Department ◽  
Time Series ◽  
Hiv Testing ◽  
Teaching Hospital ◽  
Educational Intervention ◽  
Temporal Trends ◽  
Hiv Screening ◽  
Hiv Diagnosis ◽  
Post Intervention ◽  
Hiv Test

Abstract Background Among 230,000 people living with HIV in Mexico, 24% are unaware of their diagnosis, and half of newly diagnosed individuals are diagnosed with advanced disease. Early diagnosis is the goal to mitigate HIV epidemic. Missed opportunities may reflect a lack of clinicians’ consideration of HIV screening as part of routine medical care. We assessed whether an educational intervention on residents was effective to 1) improve the knowledge on HIV screening; 2) increase the rate of HIV tests requested in the hospitalization floor (HF) and the emergency department (ED); and 3) increase HIV diagnosis in HF and ED. Methods Internal Medicine and Surgery residents at a teaching hospital were invited to participate. The intervention occurred in August 2018 and consisted in 2 sessions on HIV screening with an expert. A questionnaire was applied before (BQ) and after (AQ) the intervention, which included HIV screening indications and clinical cases. The Institutional Review Board approved this study. Written informed consent was obtained from all participants. BQ and AQ scores were compared with a paired t-test. To evaluate the effect on HIV test rate in the HF and ED, an interrupted time series analysis was performed. Daily rates of tests were obtained from September 2016 to August 2019 and plotted along time. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) were used to model temporal trends. HIV diagnosis in HF and ED pre- and post-intervention were compared with a Fisher’s exact test. A p&lt; 0.05 was considered significant. Results Among 104 residents, 57 participated and completed both questionnaires. BQ score was 79/100 (SD±12) and AQ was 85/100 (SD±8), p&lt; .004. Time series of HIV testing had apparent temporal trends (Fig 1). HIV test rate in the HF increased (7.3 vs 11.1 per 100 episodes) and decreased in the ED (2.6 vs 2.3 per 100 episodes). HIV diagnosis increased in the HF, from 0/1079 (0%) pre-intervention to 5/894 (0.6%) post-intervention (p&lt; .018) (Table 1). Fig 1. HIV test rates. Gray area represents post-intervention period. Table 1. Description of episodes, HIV tests and rates pre- and post-intervention in the Emergency Department and Hospitalization Floor. Conclusion A feasible educational intervention improved residents’ knowledge on HIV screening, achieved maintenance of a constant rate of HIV testing in the HF and increased the number of HIV diagnosis in the HF. However, these results were not observed in the ED, where administrative barriers and work overload could hinder HIV screening. Disclosures All Authors: No reported disclosures

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