Human immunodeficiency virus in drug misusers and increased consultation in general practice

The use of general practitioner services by a group of intravenous drug users was recorded over two two-year time periods 1984-85 and 1986-87. This was felt to represent the period of maximum change in awareness of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection by patients and medical staff. Fifty patients were randomly selected: 25 who were HIV positive and 25 who were HIV negative. Between the two time periods a dramatic increase in consultation rate for both high risk and infected patients attending their general practitioner was recorded (318% and 172% increase, respectively). A small increase in attendance at the accident and emergency department (30% and 34% increase, respectively) was recorded for high risk and infected patients, and there was a large increase in attendance at the infectious diseases unit for infected patients but there was little effect on use of other hospital services. The implications for resource needs in the community are discussed.