Longitudinal assessment (1995–2003) of hospitalizations of HIV‐infected patients within a geographical population in Canada

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Abstract
Objectives: To determine the frequency of and reasons for hospitalization of adult HIV‐infected patients compared with the general population.Methods: Length of stay, primary/secondary diagnoses and discharge status were reviewed for all HIV‐infected patients admitted to Calgary‐area hospitals between 1995 and 2003. Admissions were classified as HIV‐ or non‐HIV‐related using International Classification of Diseases, 9th and 10th revisions (ICD‐9/10) codes and confirmed by chart review. Summary comparative data on admissions for the general population were obtained from the regional administrative database.Results: HIV‐infected adults were hospitalized more than twice as frequently, experienced longer stays (median length 5 vs 3 days, respectively) and had higher in‐hospital mortality rates (9.1 vs 1.3 per 100 admissions, respectively) than the general population (PP<0.01). Non‐HIV‐related hospitalizations for HIV‐infected patients increased by 42% and were associated with comorbidities (e.g. substance use and psychological disorders).Conclusion: Despite the reduction in HIV‐related hospitalizations following the introduction of HAART, all‐cause hospitalization rates have increased and have started to erode this benefit.