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A national review of assessment and monitoring of HIV‐infected patients
Author(s) -
Lomax N,
Curtis H,
Johnson M
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
hiv medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.53
H-Index - 79
eISSN - 1468-1293
pISSN - 1464-2662
DOI - 10.1111/j.1468-1293.2008.00642.x
Subject(s) - medicine , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , audit , hiv diagnosis , antiretroviral therapy , family medicine , vaccination , pediatrics , viral load , immunology , management , economics
Objectives The British HIV Association (BHIVA) audit subcommittee aimed to survey UK clinic policy and practice regarding baseline assessment and immunization of newly diagnosed HIV‐positive patients, and frequency of follow‐up and testing in established patients in the UK. Methods UK centres providing HIV care were requested to complete an online survey between October 2006 and March 2007. Results 111 centres participated in the survey. 89.2% of centres routinely performed baseline HIV resistance testing. 99% of centres had a policy of routine screening for hepatitis B. Only 91% of centres were routinely offering a sexual health screen at diagnosis. Frequency of routine follow‐up for patients not requiring antiretroviral therapy (ART) and stable on ART varied between three and six months. Discussion This review showed variations in practice regarding the post diagnosis assessment and routine monitoring of HIV patients. It is of concern that not all centres perform baseline HIV resistance testing. It has also been noted that hepatitis B vaccination is not being offered to non‐immune patients at diagnosis. Less frequent follw‐up of stable patients (both on and off ART) should allow resources to be focussed on those with specific clinical needs.