Site of HIV Diagnosis Affects Linkage to Care

Compared with diagnosis of HIV infection at medical clinics, diagnosis at inpatient settings, correctional facilities, or counseling and testing centers was associated with lower linkage-to-care rates.

“Cascade of care” analyses have identified initial linkage to care as a key factor in successful HIV treatment. To determine whether site of diagnosis makes a difference, researchers assessed such linkage (defined as having HIV-related laboratory testing at a medical clinic) among adults with newly diagnosed HIV infection in Philadelphia in 2010 or 2011.

During the study period, 1359 adults received a new HIV diagnosis — 73% at a medical clinic, 15% in an inpatient setting, 7% at a counseling and testing center, and 6% at a correctional facility. Seventy-four percent were male, 68% were black, and 41% were men who have sex with men. The median CD4 count for those entering care within 3 months was 351 cells/mm³.

Eighty percent of the patients …

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Site of HIV Diagnosis Affects Linkage to Care

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Reviewing Author