Hospitalisation causes of HIV‐infected patients in 2011 in an HIV reference center in the Paris region, France

Background In France, approximately 100,000 HIV‐infected patients are regularly followed up in hospitals. Due to the availability and efficacy of antiretrovirals, the number of hospitalised patients is decreasing in favour of outpatient management. In order to optimise the balance between patients’ hospitalisation and hospital structures, collection of recent data on the profile of hospitalised patients is essential. Objectives Describe the frequency, causes of hospitalisation and characteristics of hospitalised HIV‐infected patients. Methods Retrospective study of a cohort of HIV‐infected patients hospitalised more than a day at the Bégin hospital (Saint‐Mandé) between January 1st and December 31, 2011. Results During this period, 170 hospitalisations were recorded, corresponding to 78 patients (61 M /17 F). Main causes of hospitalisation were: infections (52%), surgical treatments (10%), haemopathies/cancers (8%), cardiovascular diseases (8%), neurological illnesses (7%), hepatic and digestive tract pathologies (6%). Principal admission wards were: an HIV reference unit (67%), the emergency department (7%), cardiology (7%), surgery ward (7%), internal medicine (6%) and intensive care unit (3%). One out of five patients was admitted for an acquired immune deficiency syndrome‐related event (opportunistic infection or cancer). Two‐thirds of patients had one or several co‐morbidities. Only 61% (48/78) of patients had more than 200 CD4+lymphocytes/mm3 and 69% (54/78) an undetectable HIV viral load. The average length of stay was 6.5 days (range: 2–38). Four (5%) fatalities were reported and 85% of patients returned home. Discussion Hospitalisation of HIV‐infected patients remains significant and the causes are diversifying. Infections, in particular in patients screened at a late stage, cancers and management of comorbidities justify a coordinated referral to the different specialists.