Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study

Objective: To determine the impact of missed visits on CD4 cell count with HIV disease in a Midwest clinic. Methods: This was a mixed method study consisting of a quantitative retrospective cohort study of missed clinic visits among HIV-infected patients, and a qualitative study to collect informati...

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Main Authors: Walburn, A., Swindells, S., Fisher, Christopher, High, R., Islam, K.
Format: Journal Article
Published: Elsevier Ltd 2012
Online Access:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/9102
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author Walburn, A.
Swindells, S.
Fisher, Christopher
High, R.
Islam, K.
author_facet Walburn, A.
Swindells, S.
Fisher, Christopher
High, R.
Islam, K.
author_sort Walburn, A.
building Curtin Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description Objective: To determine the impact of missed visits on CD4 cell count with HIV disease in a Midwest clinic. Methods: This was a mixed method study consisting of a quantitative retrospective cohort study of missed clinic visits among HIV-infected patients, and a qualitative study to collect information on factors impacting appointment attendance. A drop in CD4 cell count greater than 50 cells/mm3 from baseline was the primary outcome variable for the quantitative study. The exposure variable was missed visits. Results: Of 77 patients, 16.4% experienced the outcome of interest. Lower visit proportions increased the risk of a CD4 drop (hazard ratio 0.0188, 95% confidence interval 0.001–0.292). For each 10% increase in the missed visit proportion, the risk of a CD4 drop of >50 cells/mm3 from baseline increased by 33%. Qualitative data suggested that stigma, external support, and physician–patient interactions impacted engagement in care. Conclusion: These results may help providers increase patient motivation and ability to attend clinic appointments.
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spelling curtin-20.500.11937-91022017-09-13T16:02:58Z Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study Walburn, A. Swindells, S. Fisher, Christopher High, R. Islam, K. Objective: To determine the impact of missed visits on CD4 cell count with HIV disease in a Midwest clinic. Methods: This was a mixed method study consisting of a quantitative retrospective cohort study of missed clinic visits among HIV-infected patients, and a qualitative study to collect information on factors impacting appointment attendance. A drop in CD4 cell count greater than 50 cells/mm3 from baseline was the primary outcome variable for the quantitative study. The exposure variable was missed visits. Results: Of 77 patients, 16.4% experienced the outcome of interest. Lower visit proportions increased the risk of a CD4 drop (hazard ratio 0.0188, 95% confidence interval 0.001–0.292). For each 10% increase in the missed visit proportion, the risk of a CD4 drop of >50 cells/mm3 from baseline increased by 33%. Qualitative data suggested that stigma, external support, and physician–patient interactions impacted engagement in care. Conclusion: These results may help providers increase patient motivation and ability to attend clinic appointments. 2012 Journal Article http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/9102 10.1016/j.ijid.2012.06.004 Elsevier Ltd unknown
spellingShingle Walburn, A.
Swindells, S.
Fisher, Christopher
High, R.
Islam, K.
Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title_full Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title_fullStr Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title_full_unstemmed Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title_short Missed visits and decline in CD4 cell count among HIV-infected patients: a mixed methods study
title_sort missed visits and decline in cd4 cell count among hiv-infected patients: a mixed methods study
url http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.11937/9102