PLoS ONE (Jan 2019)
Cost-effectiveness and budget impact of immediate antiretroviral therapy initiation for treatment of HIV infection in Côte d'Ivoire: A model-based analysis.
Abstract
IntroductionThe Temprano and START trials provided evidence to support early ART initiation recommendations. We projected long-term clinical and economic outcomes of immediate ART initiation in Côte d'Ivoire.MethodsWe used a mathematical model to compare three potential ART initiation criteria: 1) CD4 ResultsImmediate ART increased life expectancy by 0.34 years compared to ARTConclusionsIn Côte d'Ivoire, immediate compared to later ART initiation will increase life expectancy, decrease HIV transmission, and be cost-effective over the long-term, with modest budget impact. Immediate ART initiation is an appropriate, high-value standard of care in Côte d'Ivoire and similar settings.