Economic and epidemiological impact of early antiretroviral therapy initiation in India

Post Date: 
2015-10-01
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Countries: 
Publication: 
Journal of the International AIDS Society
Summary: 

Introduction: Recent WHO guidance advocates for early antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation at higher CD4 counts to improve survival and reduce HIV transmission. We sought to quantify how the cost-effectiveness and epidemiological impact of early ART strategies in India are affected by attrition throughout the HIV care continuum.



 



Methods: We constructed a dynamic compartmental model replicating HIV transmission, disease progression and health system engagement among Indian adults. Our model of the Indian HIV epidemic compared implementation of early ART initiation (i.e. initiation above CD4 ≥350 cells/mm3) with delayed initiation at CD4 ≤350 cells/mm3; primary outcomes were incident cases, deaths, quality-adjusted-life-years (QALYs) and costs over 20 years. We assessed how costs and effects of early ART initiation were impacted by suboptimal engagement at each stage in the HIV care continuum.

Citation: 
Maddali MV, Dowdy DW, Gupta A, Shah M. Economic and epidemiological impact of early antiretroviral therapy initiation in India. Journal of the International AIDS Society. 2015;18:20217.
Collaborators: 

Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health