Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 21, 2026
19:57
An Affordable HIV-1 Drug Resistance Monitoring Method for Resource Limited Settings
Published on: March 30, 2014
Emergency department utilization among HIV-infected patients in a multisite multistate study
J S Josephs1, J A Fleishman, P T Korthuis
1Department of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
HIV Medicine
|August 18, 2009
Summary
Emergency Department (ED) visits among HIV patients remain high, often for non-HIV related issues. Understanding factors like pain and healthcare access is crucial for managing ED use in this population.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) has transformed HIV management, yet Emergency Department (ED) utilization patterns require ongoing examination.
- Understanding the drivers of ED visits among individuals with HIV infection is essential for optimizing healthcare delivery and resource allocation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate Emergency Department (ED) utilization among HIV-infected patients.
- To identify clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with ED use and hospital admission from the ED in this population.
Main Methods:
- A cross-sectional study involving 951 HIV-infected patients interviewed at 14 HIV clinics within the HIV Research Network.
- Data collected on ED visits in the preceding 6 months, sociodemographic characteristics, and clinical factors.
- Logistic regression analysis was employed to determine correlates of ED visits and subsequent hospital admissions.
Main Results:
- Thirty-two percent of HIV-infected patients reported at least one ED visit in the prior 6 months.
- Factors associated with ED use included Medicaid insurance, high pain levels, frequent primary care visits (>7), illicit drug use, alcohol consumption, and female gender.
- Hospital admission rates from the ED were higher for patients with severe pain and those with frequent primary care visits (6-7 or >7 vs. <=3).
Conclusions:
- The frequency of ED visits among HIV-infected individuals has not decreased since the introduction of HAART.
- A significant proportion of ED visits are for conditions unrelated to direct HIV sequelae or injuries, highlighting the need for comprehensive care.
- As the HIV-infected population grows, ED providers must be equipped to manage potential complications and diverse health needs associated with HIV disease.
