HIV Infection in Portugal: Measuring the Time Between Linkage to Care and Antiretroviral Therapy Initiation

• DOI: 10.20944/preprints202503.0787.v1
• Publication Date: 2025-03-13T00:38:17Z
• Authors: Ana Virgolino; Carolina Ferraz; Vanessa Nicolau; Rui Cortes; Aida Pereira; Fernando Maltez; João Paulo Caldas; João Lourinho; Maria Alves; Inês Caetano; Tiago Teixeira; Isabel Casella; Cristina Soeiro; Andreia Meseiro; Raquel Pinho; Andreia Ribeiro; Pedro Gomes Santos; Isabel Germano; Ricardo Correia A...; Isaac Pereira; André Almeida; Fausto Roxo; Pedro Martins; Raquel Diogo; Gonçalo Cristóvão; Carmela Piñeiro; Nuno Marques; Ana Rodrigues; João Rodrigues; Joana Fragoso; Miguel Rodrigues; Filomena Freitas; Daniela Rodrigues; Liliana Pedro; Carla Tonel; Álvaro Aires Pereira; Vasco Almeida; Rosário Serrão; Francisco Antunes
• Keywords: Linkage (software)

Background/Objectives: The timely initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons living with HIV (PLWH) improves clinical outcomes. However, ART commencement is often delayed. Portugal, which has one the highest new diagnosis rates within European Union, limited available data. Evidence from 2017-2018 suggests that average time to exceeds recommendations for optimal benefits. This study aimed assess number days first hospital appointment among newly diagnosed PLWH Portugal between 2017 and 2022 at national level across different hospitals country. Methods: A retrospective analysis records Portuguese public tertiary care hospitals, manage majority patients, was conducted. Descriptive statistics (measures central tendency, dispersion, frequency) were applied, along association tests a binary logistic regression model examine factors influencing timing initiation. Results: total 2,229 cases 19 considered eligible. median interval 29.00 days, decreasing tendency 2022. Patients initiating after 14 had higher CD4 levels lower viral loads compared those starting statistical significance. Conclusions: Continuous regular monitoring key indicators, such as initiation, pivotal assessing effectiveness treatment programs pinpointing areas need improvement.