# Epidemiology and treatment in patients with HIV in a secondary-level hospital in Mexico

## TL;DR

This study analyzed HIV patient data in a Mexican hospital, finding that young, single, homosexual men are most affected and showing the effectiveness of antiretroviral therapy.

## Contribution

The study provides a detailed epidemiological profile of HIV patients in a secondary-level Mexican hospital over six years.

## Key findings

- 91.5% of patients were male, with 45.5% aged 30-39 and 68% identifying as homosexual.
- Antiretroviral therapy led to 88.1% of patients achieving undetectable viral loads.
- 1.6% of patients experienced treatment failure despite high ART coverage.

## Abstract

To describe the sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic characteristics of patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) at a second-level hospital in Mexico, a descriptive study was conducted based on the review and analysis of 871 clinical records from 2017 to 2023. The results show a predominance of the male sex (91.5%) with ages between 30 and 39 years (45.5%), and a homosexual sexual orientation (68.0%). About 25.4% had an initial CD4 count of <200 cells, 99% received antiretroviral therapy (ART), and subsequently 54.5% had a CD4 count of >500 cells, 88.1% presented with an undetectable viral load, and 1.6% experienced treatment failure. In conclusion, the young, single, homosexual male population is vulnerable to HIV infection. These findings highlight the need to strengthen prevention programs, timely diagnosis, and early treatment, to improve clinical outcomes and reduce HIV transmission.

Con el objetivo de describir las características sociodemográficas, clínicas y terapéuticas de los pacientes con Virus de Inmunodeficiencia Humana) (VIH) en un hospital de segundo nivel en México, se realizó un estudio descriptivo basado en la revisión y análisis de 871 expedientes clínicos del 2017 al 2023. Los resultados muestran un predominio del sexo masculino (91,5%) con edades entre 30 y 39 años (45,5%), y orientación sexual homosexual (68,0%). El 25,4% tuvo un recuento CD4 inicial <200 células, el 99% recibió terapia antirretroviral (TAR), posteriormente el 54,5% tuvo un recuento CD4 >500 células, el 88,1% presentó carga viral indetectable y 1,6% presentó falla al tratamiento. En conclusión, la población masculina homosexual joven y soltera es vulnerable para el contagio del VIH. Estos hallazgos resaltan la necesidad de fortalecer los programas de prevención, diagnóstico oportuno y tratamiento precoz, para mejorar los resultados clínicos y reducir la transmisión del VIH.