Long-term treatment with subcutaneous T-20, a fusion inhibitor, in HIV-infected patients: patient satisfaction and impact on activities of daily living.
T-20 is a novel antiretroviral agent that inhibits the fusion of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) with target cell membranes. It is delivered by self-administered, twice-daily, subcutaneous injections. The impact of this mode of administration on patients' ability to conduct normal activities of daily living (ADL) and comply with a T-20 treatment regimen was assessed as part of a 48-week, phase 2 trial (T20-205). Patients' opinions on the impact of T-20 on ADL, ease of use of T-20, and choice to continue with T-20 were assessed by two questionnaires completed at baseline and week 48 (or study withdrawal). ADL were measured using a Likert-type scale based on established instruments with questions added to assess HIV-specific issues. Seventy previously treated patients received T-20 in combination with an average of five oral antiretroviral agents. Relative to other HIV/AIDS drugs, T-20 had little impact on ADL, with the majority of patients (54%-96%) agreeing (somewhat or strongly) that subcutaneous injections had not limited ADL. Patients found the injections relatively easy to perform with more than 47% of patients stating that each aspect of the injections (ease of injection, storage, reconstitution, and disposal of sharps) were very easy or easy. If medically indicated, 98% of patients stated that they would choose to continue with T-20. The most common reasons for this were the perceived effectiveness of T-20 and lack of side effects. In conclusion, the need to deliver T-20 via twice-daily subcutaneous injections was not considered an important barrier by HIV-positive patients seeking improvement or stabilization of their condition.
Cohen
C J
CJ
Community Research Initiative of New England, Boston, Massachusetts 02215, USA. CALCOHENMD@aol.com
Dusek
A
A
Green
J
J
Johns
E L
EL
Nelson
E
E
Recny
M A
MA
D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000077560:Enfuvirtide; D005260:Female; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41 / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007279:Injections, Subcutaneous; D008297:Male; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D010446:Peptide Fragments / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012646:Self Administration; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D015700:HIV Envelope Protein gp41; D023581:HIV Fusion Inhibitors; D010446:Peptide Fragments; D000077560:Enfuvirtide