Decrease of initial CD4+ T-cell counts at the time of diagnosis of HIV infection in Korea; 1988–2006

Abstract

The aim of the study was to evaluate the trends of initial CD4+ T-cell counts (CD4+) at HIV diagnoses and to identify the factors influencing the annual changes of CD4+ cell counts in Korea during 1988-2006. As a retrospective study, 2613 individuals (>/=15 years at diagnosis, their CD4+ counts were measured within six months) were selected from all 4580 HIV-infected Koreans diagnosed between 1985 and 2006. The mean CD4+ cell counts in all the selected individuals was 312 cells/mm(3), and this value decreased significantly by 20.3 cells/mm(3)/year over the 19 year study period. Men had lower CD4+ cell count than women by 22.7 cells/mm(3), and age at HIV diagnosis had an inverse relationship with CD4+ cell counts of 23.5 cells/mm(3) lower per 10 years advancing age. Cases diagnosed in hospitals showed CD4+ cell count levels 33.9 cells/mm(3) lower than public institutions by 33.9 cells/mm(3). Gender and age seemed to affect trends of CD4+ count; however the institution where cases were diagnosed had the strongest effect on decreasing CD4+ cell counts. The results suggest that HIV diagnoses in recent years are being made in later stages of HIV infection and that it is imperative to develop more efficient programmes for early HIV diagnosis to prevent transmission.

Trend of CD4+ Cell Counts at Diagnosis and Initiation of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART): Korea HIV/AIDS Cohort Study, 1992-2015

“…In particular, the proportion of patients with CD4+ cell count ≤100 cells/mm 3 at the time of diagnosis has steadily increased from 2000 to the 2010-2012 time interval. In other Korea HIV data from the Korea National Institute of Health, the proportion of patients with CD4+ T cell count <200 cells/mm 3 increased from before 1993 to the period of 2004 to 2006 [15]. Similar to previous reports, our cohort data showed gradual increase of patients with CD4+ cell count <200 cells/mm 3 .…”

Trend in CD4+ Cell Counts at Diagnosis in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Persons in Korea

“…The median values of HIV RNA titers at diagnosis and HAART initiation were 39,436 copies/mL and 83,500 copies/mL, respectively. Overall, the proportion of patients presenting with advanced HIV disease was 34.4% (467/1,356) and increased gradually to the 2010-2012 period, which was consistent with the results of previous studies [567]. This study had an advantage in that CD4+ cell counts at the time of HAART initiation were analyzed, which had not been investigated before.…”

“…Second, the proportion of persons presenting with advanced HIV disease has increased over time. There have been a number of studies that revealed the proportion of persons with late presentation among individuals with newly diagnosed HIV infection in Korea [567]. In one study, the proportion of persons presenting with advanced HIV disease increased from 31% in 1987-1998 to 43% in 1999-2008 [5].…”

“…In another study conducted from 2000 to 2007, the proportion was 37.3% (858/2,299) [7]. The risk factors for presentation with advanced HIV disease have been investigated in several studies and included old age, testing at hospital compared to testing at public health center, testing due to clinical manifestations compared to health check-ups, male sex, infection by heterosexual contact compared to a homosexual contact, and diagnosis after 1999 compared to before 1998 [567]. …”

Epidemiological characteristics of HIV-infected women in the Republic of Korea: A low HIV prevalence country

“…For both, the transmission route are mostly heterosexual contact, and the proportion of women in the HIV-infected population are similar: 9 per cent in Korea, 11 per cent, Japan. [26][27][28] Our study is limited in several ways. First, our study targeted HIVinfected women who were registered in the KCDC HIV Database and did not include anonymous tests of unregistered individuals.…”