[HIV-positive persons in a Danish provincial region 1985-1990]

From January 1985 to July 1990 a total of 128 HIV-infected persons were examined in the Clinics for Infectious Diseases and Dermato-Venereology at Odense University Hospital which covers a provincial region of Denmark. Clinical and demographic data were recorded regarding their initial contact with the hospital. About 1/2 (47%) were homosexual men and these were seen primarily during the first and last years of the observation period. Approximately 1/4 (27%) were intravenous drug users (15% of these were women), and about 1/5 (18%) had become infected by heterosexual relations. Half of these were women and these were seen mostly during the latter half of the observation period. The majority (81%) were clinically healthy at the time of the initial contact with the hospital. Eight patients (6%) had developed AIDS. It is noteworthy that during the last year of the observation period, there was a great increase in the number of homosexuals with compromised health and low CD4-cell count. This tendency could not be demonstrated for the other groups. In general, at the beginning of the observation period, a very uniform group of homosexual men was observed. Most of these had become HIV-infected in Denmark. They were healthy and with good immunological function and in the age group 25-49 years. During the subsequent years, a more varied group of patients was observed. The risk behaviour was different, the percentage of women greater and there was greater variation in age, health status and CD4-count.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)