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Autopsies in HIV: still identifying missed diagnoses

Beadsworth, M., Cohen, D, Ratcliffe, L, Jenkins, N., Taylor, W, Campbell, F, Beeching, Nicholas ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7019-8791 and Azadeh, B (2009) 'Autopsies in HIV: still identifying missed diagnoses'. International Journal of STD & AIDS, Vol 20, pp. 84-86.

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Abstract

This study reviews the deaths and autopsies carried out over 23 years, 1983-2005, in a British Infection Unit in HIV patients. Of 115 HIV patients known to have died, we obtained data on 93%. Of this 80% were male, median age 38 (25-68) years; 83% were Caucasian; 12% Black African. Major risk factors were men who have sex with men, 52%; hetrosexual in Africa, 17%, and injecting drug use, 8%. The commonest diagnosis pre- and post-autopsy diagnosis was pneumonia. Changes in diagnoses in the 38% who underwent autopsy were high (we requested autopsy in 50%). Primary diagnosis changed in 70%, and 36% of all opportunistic infections were missed. This included six of nine cytomegalovirus, all tuberculosis and 75% of Kaposi's sarcoma. Lymphoma was over diagnosed. Thus, despite excellent resources, the majority of primary diagnoses were wrong, suggesting inadequacy of current diagnostics. To improve these and improve both epidemiological data and future management should be considered for all deaths.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: autopsy, post-mortem, HIV, AIDS, diagnosis
Subjects: QZ Pathology > QZ 35 Postmortem examination
WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV Infections > WC 503.1 Diagnosis
Faculty: Department: Groups (2002 - 2012) > Clinical Group
Digital Object Identifer (DOI): https://doi.org/10.1258/ijsa.2008.008271
Depositing User: Users 43 not found.
Date Deposited: 21 Dec 2010 10:50
Last Modified: 09 Sep 2019 06:26
URI: https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/1710

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