title: CD4 Cell Counts at HIV Diagnosis among HIV Outpatient Study Participants, 2000-2009.
abstract: Background. It is unclear if CD4 cell counts at HIV diagnosis have improved over a 10-year period of expanded HIV testing in the USA. Methods. We studied HOPS participants diagnosed with HIV infection ≤6 months prior to entry into care during 2000-2009. We assessed the correlates of CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3) at HIV diagnosis (late HIV diagnosis) by logistic regression. Results. Of 1,203 eligible patients, 936 (78%) had a CD4 count within 3 months after HIV diagnosis. Median CD4 count at HIV diagnosis was 299 cells/mm(3) and did not significantly improve over time (P = 0.13). Comparing periods 2000-2001 versus 2008-2009, respectively, 39% and 35% of patients had a late HIV diagnosis (P = 0.34). Independent correlates of late HIV diagnosis were having an HIV risk other than being MSM, age ≥35 years at diagnosis, and being of nonwhite race/ethnicity. Conclusions. There is need for routine universal HIV testing to reduce the frequency of late HIV diagnosis and increase opportunity for patient- and potentially population-level benefits associated with early antiretroviral treatment.
authors.affiliation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA 30333, USA.
authors.forename: Kate
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Buchacz
authors.forename: Carl
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Armon
authors.forename: Frank J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Palella
authors.forename: Rose K
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Baker
authors.forename: Ellen
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Tedaldi
authors.forename: Marcus D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Durham
authors.forename: John T
authors.initials: JT
authors.lastname: Brooks