High Rates of Late HIV Diagnosis and Presentation in Ontario, Canada

HIV-related morbidity and mortality and new transmissions are minimized by early diagnosis and treatment. Canada has a national health system with good access to HIV treatment. In this study, investigators in Ontario, Canada, assessed the rate of late diagnosis (CD4 count <350 cells/mm³ or AIDS-defining condition [ADC] within 3 months of diagnosis), delayed presentation (≥3 months from diagnosis to presentation to care), and late presentation (CD4 count <350 cells/mm³ or ADC within 3 months of presentation) for newly diagnosed HIV+ persons aged ≥16 within Ontario (where 42% of the country's population with HIV reside). All participants were seen at HIV specialty clinics participating in the Ontario Treatment Network Cohort Study.

From 1999 t…