Demographic study of persons living with HIV (PLWH) newly diagnosed in the healthcare area of a tertiary-level hospital

Introduction: Countering HIV infection remains a primary objective of the Spanish National Health System. Emergency services play a crucial role in reducing missed diagnostic opportunities, with estimates suggesting that one in 3 such opportunities occur here. The aim of the study is to examine the geographical dispersion of newly diagnosed HIV cases, within a downtown Madrid hospital.Methods: This is an observational, descriptive, retrospective study evaluating the geographical distribution of new HIV diagnoses in the care area of a tertiary University Hospital in the Community of Madrid. Results: Three hundred and eighty-seven individuals with a new diagnosis of HIV infection between 2018 and 2020 were analysed, the majority being young people with an average age of 36 +/- 9 years. 86% were gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men and 48.6% were immigrants. 15.3% presented with CD4+ < 200 cells/mm(3) and 9.5% with an AIDS-defining illness. 32.7% and 5.1% had an RNA-HIV-1 > 100,000 copies/mL and > 500,000 copies/mL, respectively, with up to 13.7% of subjects presenting resistance mutations at diagnosis. Geographically, 51.4% of individuals came from 4 Health Centres and more than 70% of the new diagnoses were included in nine Health Centres.Conclusion: Better understanding the geographical distribution of new HIV diagnoses by health areas allows us to identify areas of higher transmission risk, thereby directing and implementing prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment measures.(c) 2023 Sociedad Espanola de Medicos de Atencion Primaria (SEMERGEN). Published by Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. All rights reserved.

Automated summary

This study examines the geographical dispersion of newly diagnosed HIV cases in a downtown Madrid hospital from 2018 to 2020. The majority of individuals diagnosed were young gay, bisexual, and immigrant men. Findings suggest the need for improved prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment measures to reduce transmission risk associated with HIV infection.