Are untimed antiretroviral drug levels useful predictors of adherence behavior?
We examined cross-sectionally the relationship between untimed drug levels and adherence in 83 individuals. Abnormally low untimed antiretroviral drug levels were sensitive in identifying individuals adherent to 60% or less of medication doses over 3 - 5-week period. An abnormally low drug level was associated with a higher viral load. A single abnormally low untimed antiretroviral drug level can identify an individual with very low adherence at high risk of HIV disease progression and death.
Liechty
Cheryl A
CA
Division of Infectious Diseases, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
Alexander
Christopher S
CS
Harrigan
P Richard
PR
Guzman
J David
JD
Charlebois
Edwin D
ED
Moss
Andrew R
AR
Bangsberg
David R
DR
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000523:psychology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013997:Time Factors; D019562:Viral Load
D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents