Using electronic drug monitor feedback to improve adherence to antiretroviral therapy among HIV-positive patients in China

AIDS Behav. 2010 Jun;14(3):580-9. doi: 10.1007/s10461-009-9615-1.

Abstract

Effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) requires excellent adherence. Little is known about how to improve ART adherence in many HIV/AIDS-affected countries, including China. We therefore assessed an adherence intervention among HIV-positive patients in southwestern China. Eighty subjects were enrolled and monitored for 6 months. Sixty-eight remaining subjects were randomized to intervention/control arms. In months 7-12, intervention subjects were counseled using EDM feedback; controls continued with standard of care. Among randomized subjects, mean adherence and CD4 count were 86.8 vs. 83.8% and 297 vs. 357 cells/microl in intervention vs. control subjects, respectively. At month 12, among 64 subjects who completed the trial, mean adherence had risen significantly among intervention subjects to 96.5% but remained unchanged in controls. Mean CD4 count rose by 90 cells/microl and declined by 9 cells/microl among intervention and control subjects, respectively. EDM feedback as a counseling tool appears promising for management of HIV and other chronic diseases.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / administration & dosage
  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • China
  • Drug Monitoring / methods*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Electronics, Medical
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV Seropositivity / drug therapy*
  • HIV Seropositivity / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence* / statistics & numerical data
  • RNA, Viral / blood
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors* / administration & dosage
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors* / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • RNA, Viral
  • Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors