Recent trends for colorectal cancer screening in HIV-infected patients

Abstract

We planned to investigate the recent trends for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as compared to non-HIV by interviewing consecutive patients in outpatient clinics during September 2007. Out of a total of 300 patients interviewed, 205 met the inclusion criteria. One hundred and fourteen were HIV-infected, while 91 were non-HIV. HIV received more office visits per year. Despite the high incidence of adenomas on screening colonoscopy, HIV patients were less likely to undergo any type of CRC screening test. A higher number (>or=10) of annual clinic visits and the presence of co-morbid conditions were associated with being up-to-date for CRC screening in HIV patients. Conclusion CRC screening is underutilized in HIV patients. Multiple office visits per year are associated with being up-to-date for CRC screening. Hence, increasing patients' compliance with office visits and educating them about the importance of CRC screening may indirectly increase compliance with CRC screening.