Affiliation:
1. Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health, City University of New York, New York
2. Graduate School of Public Health and Health Policy, City University of New York, New York
3. Bureau of HIV/AIDS Prevention and Control, New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, New York
4. Rutgers University, Department of Biostatistics, Piscataway, New Jersey
Abstract
Abstract
Background
We describe the timing of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) diagnosis and antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation after implementation of universal testing and treatment policies in New York City (NYC).
Methods
Using NYC population-based HIV registry data for persons with HIV diagnosed from 2012 through 2015 and followed up through June 2017, we examined trends in the proportion with diagnosis soon after HIV infection (ie, with CD4 cell count ≥500/μL or with acute HIV infection) and used Kaplan-Meier plots and proportional hazards regression to examine the timing of ART initiation after diagnosis.
Results
Among 9987 NYC residents with HIV diagnosed from 2012 to 2015, diagnosis was early in 35%, and 87% started ART by June 2017. The annual proportion of persons with early diagnosis did not increase appreciably (35% in 2012 vs 37% in 2015; P = .08). By 6 months after diagnosis, 62%, 67%, 72% and 77% of persons with HIV diagnosed in 2012, 2013, 2014, or 2015, respectively, had started ART, with median (interquartile range) times to ART initiation of 3.34 (1.34–12.75), 2.62 (1.28–10.13), 2.16 (1.15–7.11), and 2.03 (1.11–5.61) months, respectively.
Conclusions
Although recommendations for ART initiation on diagnosis are increasingly being implemented, the findings of the current study suggest that immediate treatment initiation is not universal. Continued efforts are needed to expand and better target HIV testing to promote earlier diagnosis.
Publisher
Oxford University Press (OUP)
Subject
Infectious Diseases,Immunology and Allergy
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