Changes in emergency visits of patients infected by human immunodeficiency virus since the widespread use of protease inhibitors

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes in the urgent visits made by HIV+ patients after generalisation of the protease inhibitors. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Comparison on the visits made during a period prior to and after use of protease inhibitor. RESULTS: After the generalisation of the protease inhibitors the visits rate decreased, the motives for consulting with the physician and complementary examinations changed, invasive therapeutic procedures, admissions from urgencies and death rates decreased. CONCLUSIONS: The protease inhibitors have changed the urgent visits profile of HIV+ patients.