HIV adherence survey findings at a glance

Study highlights medication problems

The recently released "Survey on Treatment Adherence by HIV+ People," conducted by Savitz Research in Chicago, shows that 62% of those surveyed who are taking antiretroviral drugs find it difficult to adhere to their drug regimen.

The survey, which used a written questionnaire by National Family Opinion and which was funded by GlaxoSmithKline of Research Triangle Park, NC, involved 371 total HIV-positive respondents out of a database of 2,500 households that have an HIV-positive member. The average time survey respondents had been on antiretroviral drugs was six years and seven months, with 9% on therapy for less than two years and 28% on therapy for 10 years or longer. The sample surveyed is not necessarily representative of all HIV-positive individuals, but it does shed light on why HIV drug adherence has become such a hurdle to therapy success. Here are some of the key findings:

• The top reason cited for patients failing to comply with their treatment each day is "too many pills," which was listed by 67% of respondents. This is followed by side effects (61%), food restrictions (55%), frequency of having to take pills (49%), and timetable for having to take the pills (48%). Cost was listed as an obstacle by only 1%.

• When asked what would be the most important change to make it easier to take HIV drugs, 93% of the respondents who are taking HIV drugs said they would like to see a change in how the drugs are administered. Their top three choices for administration changes are to have a reduction in the number of times they need to take the pills, having fewer pills to take, and having a single pill rather than multiple pills.

• When asked what would be the most important characteristic of a better HIV drug, 67% again cited administration changes, and 64% said a reduction in the side effects.

• Participants were asked when it became difficult for them to take their drug plan, and 43% said after the first year; 21% said after the first day; 15% said after the first month; and 7% said after the first week.

• The survey asked patients how their physician prepared or educated them about the treatment program, and 25% said no preparation was given; 22% said the physician explained administration issues; 20% said the physician explained how the medication worked; 14% said the physician explained side effects; 23% said the physician answered their questions; 10% said the physician provided reading materials; and 4% said the physician referred them to another professional.

• Only 64% said they had felt mentally prepared to start their anti-HIV drug plan.

• When asked which side effects of anti-HIV/AIDS drugs concerned them most, 56% said gastrointestinal problems, 26% said organ problems, and 16% said weakness/fatigue. Other problems cited included weight change, headache/ dizziness, drug interaction, psychological problems, loss of appetite, skin problems, aches/pains, neuropathy, toxicity, lipodystrophy, sickness, body deformities, blindness, and numbness/tingling.