Opportunistic diseases remain important markers of late AIDS diagnosis, reflecting challenges in early detection and treatment adherence. This study aimed to compare the epidemiological and clinical profiles of AIDS in Santa Catarina between 1996–2000 and 2018–2022, focusing on sociodemographic characteristics and opportunistic diseases at diagnosis. Retrospective comparative study using data from the Notifiable Diseases Information System, Mortality Information System, and the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics. Reported AIDS cases (≥ 13 years) from 1996–2000 and 2018–2022 were analyzed. Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, AIDS detection, and mortality rates were described. As these are public, de-identified data, ethical approval was not required, in accordance with Resolution No. 674 of May 6, 2022 (Article 26, items III and V). A total of 388 AIDS cases were recorded between 1996 and 2000, and 6,843 between 2018 and 2022. Between 1996 and 2022, Santa Catarina showed an increase in AIDS detection rate (from 1.9 to 40.6 cases per 100,000 inhabitants) and a reduction in mortality (from 8.6 to 6.2 per 100,000 inhabitants). Detection rates rose across all state regions, particularly in Greater Florianópolis. Epidemiological changes included an increase in cases among individuals aged > 40 years (17.0% to 44.6%), greater male predominance (56.2% to 69.7%), racial diversification with a decrease in White individuals (87.4% to 76.0%) and increase among Black and mixed-race individuals, and higher education levels (complete high school: 20.1% to 29.0%). Heterosexual exposure remained predominant (62.4% to 61.8%), while cases linked to injection drug use decreased (15.7% to 1.9%). Among opportunistic diseases, proportions declined: Pneumocystosis (5.4% to 3.7%), Cerebral Toxoplasmosis (4.9% to 3.6%), Pulmonary Tuberculosis (5.7% to 3.3%), and Disseminated Tuberculosis (5.7% to 2.25%). From 1996 to 2022, AIDS in Santa Catarina was characterized by higher detection rates, lower mortality, and reduced prevalence of major opportunistic diseases, alongside population aging, racial diversification, higher educational attainment, and epidemic spread across regions.
Souza et al. (Sun,) studied this question.