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BACKGROUND: Early initiation of injection drug use (IDU) increases the risk of HIV infection. METHODS: We compare the sociodemographic, psychosocial, and clinical profiles of HIV-positive IDU patients according to the age at which IDU was initiated. This is a cross-sectional study of 1308 patients seen from 1992 through 2005. We compared the profile of patients with early (age < 13 years) vs non-early (age > 13 years) initiation of IDU. The Fisher and chi2 differences in proportions were performed to assess difference among study groups with earlier IDU. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used to calculate the odds ratio. The Kaplan-Meier and log rank tests were used to assess the median survival. Differences were considered significant at alpha = .05. RESULTS: Early initiation of IDU was reported in 11% of our sample. The early initiation group was more likely to smoke tobacco, use alcohol, attempt suicide, have a history of incarceration, have economic problems, and have episodes of anxiety, confusion, depression, excitation, impulsivity, and violence (P < .05). The general survival time of patients was 36.9 months (95% confidence interval 31.9-42.0). A higher prevalence of candidial esophagitis and Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia and a lower prevalence of hepatitis C virus coinfection were seen in the early initiation group (P < .05). No differences in mortality, use of antiretroviral therapy, or CD4 T-cell count were seen. CONCLUSIONS: Differences in terms of lifestyle, stress factors, and history of psychological events were seen in the group of patients with early initiation of IDU seen in our facilities. Differences in the clinical scenario were documented.

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INTRODUCTION: Epidemiologic studies in the United States have estimated that 1.1%-4.3% of the general population attempt suicide at some time in their lives, but limited information is available on suicidal attempts within the HIV-positive population after the introduction of effective antiretroviral therapy. In this study, we evaluate the profile and trends of attempted suicide in a sample of HIV patients in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. METHODS: A retrospective cohort study design was employed to analyze data from the HIV/AIDS longitudinal data bank generated in the Retrovirus Research Center at the Universidad Central del Caribe, Puerto Rico, from 2000 through 2004. We analyzed cumulative self-reported suicide attempts from 714 individuals. Annual percentage changes were assessed by using general linear model with Poisson distribution. Adjusted odds ratios were estimated by using logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of suicide attempts increased in the five-year period examined, from 9.0% to 22.0%. In our study, men were more likely to attempt suicide than were women. In addition, the risk factors most strongly related to suicide attempts after adjusting for age, sex, HIV/AIDS status at study entry, and injection drug use were stress factors related to filial relationships, use of psychoactive substance, and isolation. Changes in conducts related to depression, confusion and anxiety were positively associated with suicide attempts. CONCLUSIONS: Prevention and intervention programs should embrace a more comprehensive approach to care for HIV/AIDS. This approach should recognize the psychological needs and provide the support these patients desperately need.

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The HIV epidemic is a significant global health care issue. With increasing knowledge and improved therapeutics the natural history of the infection has been modified. In this paper we aim to present the general socio-demographic profile and the clinical and therapeutic spectrum of patients with HIV infection who have visited the Bayamón Health Care facilities over the last 12 years and who are part of the Retrovirus Research Center (RRC). The objectives of the study are: 1) describe changes in the demographic, risk factors and clinical stage of patients with HIV infection initially seen in our center; 2) assess changing trends from the clinical and immunological perspective across time; 3) describe mortality risk of patients particularly after the introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART). This is a cross-sectional study of 3,569 patients admitted to the RRC at the Universidad Central del Caribe between years 1992 through 2005. The variables studied were demographic, risk factors exposure, HIV status at baseline, clinical and immunological parameters, ART and the mortality risk. Chi square with Cramer's coefficient, Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazard ratio analysis were performed. The study revealed that individuals presenting at our health care facilities are older and that the proportion of females has increased. The risk factor profile shows increase in heterosexual contact with the disease. The study found that patients treated with ART had significantly lower mortality risk than those without ART. Patients who arrive to RRC with AIDS and Intravenous Drug Users (IDU) had a higher mortality risk than participants with HIV. The analysis of the trends showed changes in the demographic and clinical profile of patients across the years. HIV/AIDS prevention programs and policies need to be continued in Puerto Rico in order to better control the spread of the epidemic.

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OBJECTIVES: To compare the occurrence of AIDS as well as the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of AIDS patients in Puerto Rico before and after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the privatization of the island's public health care system. METHODS: We compared the incident AIDS cases for two three-year periods, 1992-1994 and 1998-2000, in four populations: (1) entire United States, (2) Puerto Rico, (3) Bayamón Health Region (located in north-central Puerto Rico, it includes 11 of the island's 78 municipalities), and (4) an HIV cohort enrolled at the Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC) School of Medicine. The UCC is located in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, within an academic medical complex that houses the teaching hospital (Ramón Ruíz Arnaú University Hospital), the ambulatory health care facilities (Immunology Clinics) for patients with HIV, and administrative buildings. This represents the major government-sponsored health care infrastructure within the Bayamón Health Region. RESULTS: Incident AIDS declined substantially between the two periods in each of the four populations studied. The 48.1% decline in Puerto Rico exceeded the 40.9% decline in the United States. The decline in Puerto Rico likely resulted from increased availability and implementation of HAART and the delivery of health care to HIV/AIDS patients in an integrated fashion within each regional ambulatory clinic. In spite of this improvement, the absolute number of patients with AIDS on the island remains high. Substantial resources for treatment and prevention are required. The proportion of new AIDS cases was lower among women, persons 40 years of age or older, the less educated, and those living alone. Injection drug use remains the predominant mode of transmission in Puerto Rico. CONCLUSIONS: Further gains in Puerto Rico's fight against AIDS will depend on the island's ability to reduce the transmission that occurs through injection drug use; the use of HAART on a larger number of vulnerable patients, particularly intravenous drug users; educational interventions to improve medication compliance in certain risk groups; and specific measures aimed at decreasing the rate of injection drug use.

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Objetivos. Comparar la frecuencia de casos de sida, así como las características sociodemográficas y clínicas de los pacientes de sida en Puerto Rico, antes y después de la introducción de la terapia antirretrovírica de gran actividad (TARGA) y la privatización del sistema de salud de la isla. Métodos. Comparamos los nuevos casos de sida durante dos períodos de tres años, 1992­1994 y 1998­2000, en cuatro poblaciones: 1) todos los Estados Unidos, 2) Puerto Rico, 3) la Región de Salud de Bayamón (que se sitúa en la parte norte del centro de Puerto Rico y contiene 11 de las 78 municipalidades de la isla) y una cohorte de pacientes infectados por el VIH y atendidos en la Escuela de Medicina de la Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC). La UCC está en Bayamón, Puerto Rico, dentro de un complejo médico universitario donde se encuentran el hospital escuela (Hospital Universitario Ramón Ruíz Arnaú), las clínicas ambulatorias (Clínicas de Inmunología) para pacientes infectados por el VIH y los edificios administrativos. Todo ello en conjunto representa la principal infraestructura de atención sanitaria de carácter público en la Región de Salud de Bayamón. Resultados. La frecuencia de nuevos casos de sida se redujo notablemente entre los dos períodos en cada una de las cuatro poblaciones estudiadas. La reducción de 48,1% observada en Puerto Rico superó a la de 40,9% observada en los Estados Unidos en general. La reducción en Puerto Rico obedeció probablemente a la mayor disponibilidad y aplicación de la TARGA y a la provisión de atención sanitaria de manera integrada a pacientes de sida o con infección por el VIH en cada clínica ambulatoria regional. A pesar de estas mejoras, sin embargo, el número absoluto de pacientes de sida en la isla sigue siendo elevado. Hacen falta cuantiosos recursos para proporcionar tratamiento y aplicar medidas de prevención. La proporción de casos de sida nuevos fue menor entre las mujeres, las personas de 40 años de edad o mayores, las personas con menos escolaridad y las que vivían solas. El uso de drogas inyectadas sigue siendo la principal vía de transmisión en Puerto Rico. Conclusiones. En Puerto Rico, cualquier adelanto futuro en la lucha contra el sida dependerá de la capacidad de la isla para reducir la transmisión ocasionada por el uso de drogas inyectadas; de la administración de la TARGA a un gran número de pacientes vulnerables, especialmente a usuarios de drogas intravenosas; de intervenciones educativas para mejorar la observancia del tratamiento en ciertos grupos en riesgo; y de medidas orientadas a reducir la frecuencia del uso de drogas inyectadas

Objectives. To compare the occurrence of AIDS as well as the sociodemographic and clinical profiles of AIDS patients in Puerto Rico before and after the introduction of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and the privatization of the island's public health care system. Methods. We compared the incident AIDS cases for two three-year periods, 1992­1994 and 1998­2000, in four populations: (1) entire United States, (2) Puerto Rico, (3) Bayamón Health Region (located in north-central Puerto Rico, it includes 11 of the island's 78 municipalities), and (4) an HIV cohort enrolled at the Universidad Central del Caribe (UCC) School of Medicine. The UCC is located in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, within an academic medical complex that houses the teaching hospital (Ramón Ruíz Arnaú University Hospital), the ambulatory health care facilities (Immunology Clinics) for patients with HIV, and administrative buildings. This represents the major government-sponsored health care infrastructure within the Bayamón Health Region. Results. Incident AIDS declined substantially between the two periods in each of the four populations studied. The 48.1% decline in Puerto Rico exceeded the 40.9% decline in the United States. The decline in Puerto Rico likely resulted from increased availability and implementation of HAART and the delivery of health care to HIV/AIDS patients in an integrated fashion within each regional ambulatory clinic. In spite of this improvement, the absolute number of patients with AIDS on the island remains high. Substantial resources for treatment and prevention are required. The proportion of new AIDS cases was lower among women, persons 40 years of age or older, the less educated, and those living alone. Injection drug use remains the predominant mode of transmission in Puerto Rico. Conclusions. Further gains in Puerto Rico's fight against AIDS will depend on the island's ability to reduce the transmission that occurs through injection drug use; the use of HAART on a larger number of vulnerable patients, particularly intravenous drug users; educational interventions to improve medication compliance in certain risk groups; and specific measures aimed at decreasing the rate of injection drug use

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