Response to the modeling analysis by Katz et al. on the impact of replacing clinic-based HIV tests with home testing among men who have sex with men in Seattle: Authors' reply

摘要

We welcome the comments from Conway et al.1 on our work. Our model focuses on the effects of replacing clinic-based HIV tests with home-use tests among Seattle men who have sex with men (MSM).2 We agree with Conley et al. that the inability of our model's structure to explicitly account for MSM with no prior test and to include MSM who supplement clinic-based tests with home-use tests is an important limitation. Nevertheless, the model serves as a useful heuristic device for understanding the potential implications of the relatively long window period of the Food and Drag Administration-approved home-use test and challenges in linking individuals diagnosed as having HIV infection at home into care.