The Johns Hopkins AIDS Service provides care for a large proportion of HIV-infected patients in Baltimore. An observational, longitudinal, clinical database has been maintained on patients receiving primary HIV care since 1990. In this longitudinal database, data are updated regularly using clinic and inpatient clinical documentation (from the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service and elsewhere), laboratory testing results, and pharmacy records. Prescription of antiretroviral therapy (drug, dates of use, and dose) is documented by the medical provider and support staff in the clinical records. Trained abstractors record all this information onto standardized forms for processing. Data on mortality came from the medical records, Maryland State vital statistics records, the National Death Index, and the national Social Security Death Index. Details of the methodology have been previously described [12 (link)].
The IPEC/FIOCRUZ AIDS Clinic has provided care to HIV-infected patients in Rio de Janeiro since 1986. An observational, longitudinal, clinical database has been maintained on patients receiving primary HIV care in the clinic since 1998. The data collection process was patterned after the process established at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service. Data are updated regularly using clinic and inpatient clinical documentation, laboratory testing results, and pharmacy records. Since 1996, the Brazilian Ministry of Health initiated a program of providing HAART free of charge to all HIV-infected individuals. Locally produced antiretroviral drugs have been widely used in Brazil since then. Brazil now holds a unique position as a developing country with more than 200 000 patients receiving HAART. Prescription of antiretroviral therapy at IPEC–FIOCRUZ (drug, dates of use, and dose) is documented by the medical provider and support staff in the clinical records. Trained abstractors record all this information onto standardized forms for processing. Data on mortality came from the medical records and national death statistics. Details of the methodology have been previously described [13 ].
The IPEC/FIOCRUZ AIDS Clinic has provided care to HIV-infected patients in Rio de Janeiro since 1986. An observational, longitudinal, clinical database has been maintained on patients receiving primary HIV care in the clinic since 1998. The data collection process was patterned after the process established at the Johns Hopkins AIDS Service. Data are updated regularly using clinic and inpatient clinical documentation, laboratory testing results, and pharmacy records. Since 1996, the Brazilian Ministry of Health initiated a program of providing HAART free of charge to all HIV-infected individuals. Locally produced antiretroviral drugs have been widely used in Brazil since then. Brazil now holds a unique position as a developing country with more than 200 000 patients receiving HAART. Prescription of antiretroviral therapy at IPEC–FIOCRUZ (drug, dates of use, and dose) is documented by the medical provider and support staff in the clinical records. Trained abstractors record all this information onto standardized forms for processing. Data on mortality came from the medical records and national death statistics. Details of the methodology have been previously described [13 ].
