The effect of a maturing antiretroviral program on early mortality for patients with advanced immune-suppression in Soweto, South Africa.

Objective: We hypothesize that time to initiate care and maturity of a treatment program impact on outcome of severely immuno-compromised patients with higher risk of mortality.

Design: We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis at the Perinatal HIV Research Unit Adult ART clinic, Soweto, South Africa.

Methods: ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA FOR THIS ANALYSIS WERE: attendance for minimum one visit between August 2004 and August 2010, age >18 years, CD4 count < 50 cells/mm(3) and ART-naïve at screening.