[Study of new HIV infection between 2000 and 2007 in the north and east of France]

In France, since 2003, all new HIV infection must be reported. Data collected with the declaration system is not exhaustive and only concerns epidemiological data.

Objective: The authors' aim was to study the epidemiologic evolution of new HIV cases between January 1, 2000 and December 31, 2007 in North and East of France, to compare them with national and local data, to complete them, and to identify local specificities.

Method: A retrospective observational study was made, with a standardized questionnaire completed by any volunteer HIV care center in the North and the East of France.

Results: Three thousand and thirty questionnaires were analyzed. The main trends over these eight years were similar to those observed in the rest of France: a decreasing number of women and patients of foreign origin, a decreasing number of patients with a late diagnosis, an increasing number of primary infections, and a higher CD4 count on initiation of antiretroviral treatment. However, local specificities appeared, such as: increasing proportion of men having sex with men and a less important proportion of co-infected patients with hepatitis B and/or C than on the national level. The therapeutic regimen is adequate according to expert recommendations, with, however, a marked "center effect" concerning prescription habits.

Discussion: Such a local epidemiological study, even if it confirms observed trends in the rest of France, allows detailing them and suggesting prevention measures more specifically adapted to local settings.