A time-to-prescription-refill measure of antiretroviral adherence predicted changes in viral load in HIV.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of this study was to determine the validity and utility of a pharmacy-based time-to-refill measure of antiretroviral therapy adherence.


METHODS
We performed an observational cohort study of 110 HIV-infected subjects on a stable, highly active antiretroviral regimen for at least 3 months at a Veterans' Affairs Medical Center in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


RESULTS
The viral load decreased by 0.12 log c/mL (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.01-0.23 log c/mL) for each 10% increase in pharmacy-based time-to-refill defined adherence as compared with 0.05 log c/mL (95% CI -0.14-0.25 log c/mL) for the self-reported adherence measure. Thus, only the refill-defined measure was statistically significantly associated with viral load change. When adherence was classified as good (> or = 85%) versus poor (<85%), both measures demonstrated a significant difference in outcome between groups. Yet, in individuals self-reporting 100% adherence, those classified as good adherers using the pharmacy-based measure had greater viral load reductions than poor adherers (2.4 log c/mL [interquartile range 1.4-3.4] vs. 1.5 log c/mL [interquartile range 0.8-2.4, P=.03).


CONCLUSIONS
The pharmacy-based technique is a valid measure of antiretroviral therapy adherence. Because it provides clinically relevant information in subjects who self-report 100% adherence, it should be incorporated into clinical practice and adherence research.
Grossberg
Robert
R
Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6021, USA. rgross@cceb.med.upenn.edu
Zhang
Yawei
Y
Gross
Robert
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D011307:Drug Prescriptions; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000276:immunology / Q000821:virology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D018709:Statistics, Nonparametric; D019562:Viral Load
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents