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Patients with HIV less likely to undergo cancer screenings

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Patients with HIV were less likely to have routine screening for breast, cervical and colon cancer compared with patients without HIV, according to data presented at the Infectious Diseases Society of America 49th Annual Meeting.

Researchers from St. John Hospital & Medical Center in Detroit conducted a retrospective case-control study to evaluate compliance with American Cancer Society screening guidelines. The study included 78 patients with HIV who were treated by infectious disease specialists and 78 age- and gender-matched patients without HIV who were treated by internal medicine specialists. All patients were seen by their specialists from Jan. 1, 2009, to Dec. 31, 2009. The investigators reviewed charts to see if the ACS screening guidelines were followed.

Overall, patients with HIV were less likely to be recommended screening and also less likely to have screening performed. When compared with national figure rates for cancer screening, patients treated by internal medicine specialists had a higher rate of screening, whereas patients with HIV had a lower rate of screening.

For colonoscopy, 89.8% of patients without HIV were ordered to have one, compared with 54.2% of patients with HIV. A colonoscopy actually was performed in 67.8% of patients without HIV, compared with 45.8% of patients with HIV.

For mammograms, 91.7% of patients without HIV were ordered to have one, compared with 54.2% of patients with HIV. A mammogram actually was performed in 83.3% of patients without HIV, compared with 45.8% of patients with HIV.

For Pap smears, 86.7% of patients without HIV were ordered to have one, compared with 60% of patients with HIV. A Pap smear actually was performed in 80% of patients without HIV, compared with 60% of patients with HIV.

Among the patients with HIV, 56.4% had a primary care provider. However, there was no difference in screening between those patients who had a PCP and those patients who did not.

For more information:

• Johnson L. # 481. Presented at: IDSA 49th Annual Meeting; Oct. 20-23, 2011; Boston.

Disclosures: The researchers report no relevant disclosures.

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