title: Use of an on-line pager system to increase adherence to antiretroviral medications.
abstract: Adherence to antiretroviral therapy is critical for treatment success. Antiretroviral therapy typically requires multiple pills at multiple dosing times. To address this, we tested the feasibility, utility, and efficacy of a customizable reminder system using pagers, which were programmed using web-based technology, to increase and maintain proper adherence in patients with pre-existing adherence problems. After a two-week monitoring period with an electronic pill-cap, participants with less than 90% adherence were randomized to continue monitoring or to receive a pager. The group who received the pagers had greater improvements in adherence from baseline to Week 2 and Week 12 than those who monitored their medications only. However, adherence in both groups at the outcome assessments points was still poor. While the provision of a reminder system helped improve adherence, it is likely that more intensive interventions are required for patients with pre-existing problems.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston 02114, USA. ssafren@partners.org
authors: S A
authors: SA
authors: Safren
authors: E S
authors: ES
authors: Hendriksen
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Desousa
authors: S L
authors: SL
authors: Boswell
authors: K H
authors: KH
authors: Mayer
mesh_terms: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D003153:Community Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017010:Reminder Systems / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents