Earlier Initialization of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy Is Associated With Long-Term Survival and Is Cost-Effective

BACKGROUND: Raising the guidelines for the initiation of antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings at CD4 T-cell counts of 350 cells per microliter raises concerns about feasibility and cost. We examined costs of this shift using data from Uganda for almost 10 years. METHODS: We projected total costs of earlier initiation with combined antiretroviral therapy, including inpatient and outpatient services, antiretroviral treatment and …