Frequent emergency department use among released prisoners with human immunodeficiency virus: characterization including a novel multimorbidity index.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

The objective was to characterize the medical, social, and psychiatric correlates of frequent emergency department (ED) use among released prisoners with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

Methods

Data on all ED visits by 151 released prisoners with HIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) were prospectively collected for 12 months. Correlates of frequent ED use, defined as having two or more ED visits postrelease, were described using univariate and multivariate models and generated medical, psychiatric, and social multimorbidity indices.

Results

Forty-four (29%) of the 151 participants were defined as frequent ED users, accounting for 81% of the 227 ED visits. Frequent ED users were more likely than infrequent or nonusers to be female; have chronic medical il

SUBMITTER: Meyer JP 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3623800 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature