Impact of Late HIV Diagnosis on Costs of Care in a Public Health Care Setting

Despite increased HIV testing and access to treatment in Australia, presentations with advanced disease occur, placing a significant burden on the health system. We sought to describe costs associated with HIV care in the first year post diagnosis in a specialized, tertiary-level HIV service and identify factors predicting increased health care costs. People newly diagnosed with HIV from 2016 to 2020 were included in the study. Data were gathered regarding their demographics (age, gender, birthplace, and first language), HIV parameters (viral load [VL] and CD4 cell count), antiretroviral therapy start date, opportunistic illness history, and health care costs (inpatient, outpatient, and emergency) from 12 months of diagnosis. Multivariable modeling was used to identify factors associated with increased costs. We identified 147 people; median age 38 years, 90% male, median CD4 count at diagnosis 338 cells/µL with median initial cost of care AUD $22,929 (interquartile range $11,902-$39,175). Costs associated with advanced HIV diagnosis (CD4 < 200 cells/µL; <i>n</i> = 52) were more than double an early HIV diagnosis (CD4 ≧ 350 cells/µL; <i>n</i> = 69) (median $46,406 vs. $20,274; <i>p</i> < .001). In univariate analysis, older age, higher VL, low CD4 count, and VL >200 copies/mL after 6 months were associated with increased costs. In multivariate analysis, older age (<i>p</i> = .001) and CD4 count <200 cells/µL (<i>p</i> = .001) were the only factors predicting increased cost in the first year after HIV diagnosis. Prioritizing HIV testing strategies to allow earlier diagnosis of HIV would significantly reduce the financial burden of HIV care.