@article {3313, title = {Patient-reported symptoms on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir.}, journal = {AIDS patient care and STDs}, volume = {26}, year = {2012}, month = {2012 Jun}, pages = {312-9}, abstract = {Most patients (80-90\%) newly diagnosed with HIV are started on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF). Existing studies of patient tolerability, however, are limited. We compared symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF, and the subsequent impact on health-related quality of life, with those of patients on other combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Veterans Aging Cohort Study from February 2008 to August 2009 to compare the symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF vs. other cART, unadjusted and then adjusted for treatment characteristics, and comorbid disease severity. We then assessed the association between EFV/FTC/TDF use and health-related quality of life. Among the 1,759 patients in our analytic sample, EFV/FTC/TDF use was associated with fewer symptoms than was other cART. The use of EFV/FTC/TDF was independently associated with health-related quality of life, and this association was at least partially explained by symptom burden.}, keywords = {Adenine, Anti-HIV Agents, Benzoxazines, Cohort Studies, Cross-Sectional Studies, Deoxycytidine, Drug Therapy, Combination, Female, Health Status, HIV Infections, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Organophosphonates, Quality of Life, Severity of Illness Index, Treatment Outcome, Veterans}, issn = {1557-7449}, doi = {10.1097/QAI.0b013e3181fbc94f}, author = {Edelman, E Jennifer and Gordon, Kirsha and Rodriguez-Barradas, Maria C and Justice, Amy C} }