HIV infection in Malaysia: a report of cases seen at the University Hospital, Kuala Lumpur
Ismail, R.; Doi, S.; Naganathna, N.
Medical Journal of Malaysia 50(4): 298-301
1995
ISSN/ISBN: 0300-5283 PMID: 8668046 Document Number: 301264
A retrospective analysis was conducted of HIV/AIDS cases registered at the University Hospital in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. There were 104 such cases, but, due to incomplete data or lost to follow up, the analysis included only 66 HIV/AIDS cases. The age of the 66 HIV/AIDS cases ranged from 0 to 60 years. 89.4% were 21-40 years old. The female to male ratio was 1:10. 53.8% of the HIV/AIDS cases had acquired HIV via intravenous drug use. The next most common HIV transmission modes were heterosexual and homosexual intercourse (20% and 13.8%, respectively). There were 73 episodes of AIDS-defining illness among the 66 patients. The most common illnesses were Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) (32.9%) and esophageal candidiasis (16.4%). Of the 28 patients who had at least 1 CD4+ measurement, 54% had a CD4+ count less than 500/mcl. 66% of them had at least 1 AIDS-defining illness. 17 HIV/AIDS patients had already died. The leading causes of death were fulminant pneumonia (23.5%) and PCP (17.6%). The probability of survival at 2.7 years after HIV diagnosis was 50%. The probability of survival free from AIDS-defining illness at 2 years was also 50%. Reasons for poor survival included delay in HIV diagnosis, presentation late in the course of HIV disease (the case in 50% of HIV/AIDS patients at the hospital), poor compliance to follow-up, and non-availability of zidovudine until recently.