Yale University

Medication persistence in the treatment of HIV infection: a review of the literature and implications for future clinical care and research.

TitleMedication persistence in the treatment of HIV infection: a review of the literature and implications for future clinical care and research.
Publication TypeJournal Article
Year of Publication2011
AuthorsBae, Jason W., William Guyer, Kristy Grimm, and Frederick L. Altice
JournalAIDS (London, England)
Volume25
Issue3
Pagination279-90
Date Published2011 Jan 28
ISSN1473-5571
KeywordsAnti-Retroviral Agents, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes, Drug Administration Schedule, Female, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Humans, Male, Medication Adherence, Viral Load, Virus Replication
AbstractPersistence, continuous treatment with a prescribed medication or intervention, is an important, but underrecognized aspect of medication treatment, especially for HIV. In contrast to adherence, which measures the percentage of patient behavior to a prescribed therapy, persistence measures the duration during which a patient remains on a prescribed therapy. Decreased persistence for HIV treatment, or shorter duration on therapy, is associated with increased rates of virological failure, development of antiretroviral resistance, and increased morbidity and mortality. Additionally, frequency and duration of nonpersistent episodes rather than adherence may be a better predictor of clinical outcomes in HIV-infected patients on certain regimens. In this review, we codify the constructs of persistence and adherence, and further define persistence as either patient or regimen persistence. Furthermore, current literature on the clinical consequences of and factors associated with suboptimal persistence is summarized. Finally, methods to measure persistence as well as interventions that may improve persistence and clinical outcomes are suggested.
DOI10.1007/s11606-010-1323-z
Alternate JournalAIDS

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