Clinical and socioeconomic determinants of health care use among HIV-infected patients in the Department of Veterans Affairs

This study estimates the impact of clinical and socioeconomic characteristi cs on health care use for HIV-infected patients. Data come from the Departm ent of Veterans Affairs (VA) HIV Registry, which electronically extracts da ta from patients' automated medical records, and from patient interviews. U nlike prior studies, this analysis includes a staging system incorporating CD4 count and AIDS-defining diagnoses. Results showed that clinical factors were the most important determinants of health care use; socioeconomic var iables were seldom significantly. These findings were expected, since the V A is an equal access system, providing care regardless of socioeconomic sta tus.