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Comparison
of Abacavir-based to Protease Inhibitor-based HAART Regimens: Patient
Satisfaction and Adherence
The
purpose of this study was to compare treatment satisfaction with
triple
nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI) highly
active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) regimens including abacavir/
ABC (HAART) to HAART regimens
that include protease
inhibitors (PIs) and to estimate the relationship between
patient satisfaction and adherence
to HAART.
Three
open-label clinical trials comparing ABC-including HAART regimens
with PI-including HAART regimens were completed, two with patients
previously untreated with antiretroviral therapy and one with patients
successfully treated with PI-including HAART regimens.
The
HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIVTSQ) was completed
at several time points during each trial. Levels of patient satisfaction
with the ABC and PI regimens were compared for all three trials.
The
correlation between adherence and patient satisfaction scores was
measured using data from an adherence questionnaire in one of the
studies.
Results
In
all three clinical trials, patient satisfaction scores were significantly
higher with an ABC-including triple NRTI HAART regimen than with
a PI-including HAART regimen. The difference was apparent by week
4 of the trial and was maintained throughout the trial time period.
Inspection
of the item responses in the patient satisfaction questionnaire
indicated that treatment convenience, flexibility, impact on lifestyle,
and side effects were key factors in the difference in satisfaction
between the treatment groups.
In
addition, patient satisfaction was shown to be significantly correlated
with adherence defined as taking 95% or more of prescribed doses.
The
authors write in conclusion, “Greater satisfaction was reported
by patients given an ABC-including HAART regimen than those given
a PI-including HAART regimen. Patient satisfaction may be an indicator
for better treatment adherence.”
GlaxoSmithKline
Inc., Research Triangle Park, North Carolina.
01/31/05
Reference
J
Jordan and others. Abacavir Compared to Protease Inhibitors as Part
of HAART Regimens for Treatment of HIV Infection: Patient Satisfaction
and Implications for Adherence. AIDS Patient Care and STDs 19(1): 9-18. January 2005.
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