[Evolution of the epidemiologic pattern of the cases of AIDS in Spain]

Based on cases reported to the National AIDS Register by end June 1994, we analysed changes in the epidemiological pattern of AIDS in Spain for the periods 1981-1989 and 1990-1992. Cases diagnosed in 1981-1989 were mainly males (83.1%), subjects under 30 years of age (55.9%), and intravenous drug users (63.8%) or homo/bisexual males (16.8%). In 1990-1992 there was an increase in the proportion of females (18.5%), cases older than 29 (55.0%), and mean age diagnosis. Proportions of homo/bisexual, blood components recipients, and mother-to-child transmission decreased, while heterosexual transmission increased from 4.3% to 8.0%. In spite of large inter-regional differences in 1981-1989, some regions, such as La Rioja, Navarre, Murcia, Galicia and Aragon, rose more than Spain as a whole. Although the epidemiological pattern in both periods is similar, significant and independent changes in analysed variables are to be observed.