Trends of CD4 cell count levels at the initiation of antiretroviral therapy over time and factors associated with late initiation of antiretroviral therapy among Asian HIV‐positive patients

Introduction Although antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been rapidly scaled up in Asia, most HIV‐positive patients in the region still present with late‐stage HIV disease. We aimed to determine trends of pre‐ART CD4 levels over time in Asian HIV‐positive patients and to determine factors associated with late ART initiation. Methods Data from two regional cohort observational databases were analyzed for trends in median CD4 cell counts at ART initiation and the proportion of late ART initiation (CD4 cell counts