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.