Effect of baseline CD4 cell count at linkage to HIV care and at initiation of antiretroviral therapy on mortality in HIV-positive adult patients in Rwanda: a nationwide cohort study

BACKGROUND: Continued debate exists about whether initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in symptom-free patients at higher baseline CD4 cell counts results in important clinical benefits. We aimed to examine to what extent baseline CD4 cell count at linkage to HIV care and at ART initiation predicts mortality in adults with HIV in Rwanda. METHODS: We included data for patients with HIV in Rwanda who were aged 15 years or older and linked …