title: Patient-reported symptoms on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir.
abstract: Most patients (80-90%) newly diagnosed with HIV are started on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF). Existing studies of patient tolerability, however, are limited. We compared symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF, and the subsequent impact on health-related quality of life, with those of patients on other combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Veterans Aging Cohort Study from February 2008 to August 2009 to compare the symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF vs. other cART, unadjusted and then adjusted for treatment characteristics, and comorbid disease severity. We then assessed the association between EFV/FTC/TDF use and health-related quality of life. Among the 1,759 patients in our analytic sample, EFV/FTC/TDF use was associated with fewer symptoms than was other cART. The use of EFV/FTC/TDF was independently associated with health-related quality of life, and this association was at least partially explained by symptom burden.
authors.affiliation: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Clinical Scholars Program, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA. ejennifer.edelman@yale.edu
authors.forename: E Jennifer
authors.initials: EJ
authors.lastname: Edelman
authors.forename: Kirsha
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Gordon
authors.forename: Maria C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Rodriguez-Barradas
authors.forename: Amy C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Justice
mesh_terms: D000225:Adenine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003841:Deoxycytidine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D063065:Organophosphonates / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011788:Quality of Life; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D000068698:Tenofovir; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014728:Veterans
chemical_list: D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D048588:Benzoxazines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D063065:Organophosphonates; D003841:Deoxycytidine; D000068698:Tenofovir; D000068679:Emtricitabine; D000225:Adenine; C098320:efavirenz