Despite CD4 cell count rebound the higher initial costs of medical care for HIV-infected patients persist 5 years after presentation with CD4 cell counts less than 350μl

We determined that for HIV patients presenting with CD4 cell counts less than 350 mu l the initial higher costs of care persisted over 5 years. Fifty-nine percent of new patients between 1 April 1998 and 1 April 2003 had CD4 cell counts less than 350 mu l. Mean first year total costs ($19 917 $Cdn) were 2.5 times higher than for presentations with CD4 cell counts more than 350ml ($7840). Total annual costs of care subsequently decreased to $15 663 by year 5, but still remained higher ($8883) than those with CD4 cell counts more than 350ml despite a median CD4 cell count increase from 134 to 464 mu l.