Open AccessPatient preferences for characteristics of antiretroviral therapies: results from five European countries
Author(s) -
Gazzard Brian,
Ali Shehzad,
Muhlbacher Axel,
Ghafouri Neda,
Maggiolo Franco,
Golics Catherine,
Nozza Silvia,
Jose Fuster Maria,
Antela Antonio,
Jacques Parienti Jean,
Dang Nathalie,
Ronot Bregigeon Sylvie,
Benzie Andrew,
Murray Miranda
Publication year - 2014
Publication title -
journal of the international aids society
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.724
H-Index - 62
ISSN - 1758-2652
DOI - 10.7448/ias.17.4.19540
Subject(s) - medicine , preference , odds , odds ratio , antiretroviral therapy , antiretroviral treatment , human immunodeficiency virus (hiv) , family medicine , patient satisfaction , demography , viral load , surgery , logistic regression , sociology , economics , microeconomics
Patient preference to antiretroviral therapy (ART) characteristics should be a key consideration in treatment decisions. ART options exist for people living with HIV (PLWH), however concerns remain related to PLWH satisfaction with current ARTs. The current study examines patient preferences and the strength of preferences for treatment characteristics associated with ART. Materials and Methods Patients’ preferences to ART were explored using a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Seven defined treatment characteristics (each with three categories) were identified from a literature review, input from experts, PLWH and physicians. A total of 1582 PLWH from France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the UK were recruited for the study. An adjusted odds ratio <1 signified lower odds of selecting a treatment with this characteristic category, compared to the reference category, independently of other characteristics. Results The patient preference analyses showed that participants preferred treatments with a rapid reduction in viral load (OR=0.78; 95% CI 0.74–0.81) and CD4 count (OR=0.86; 95% CI=0.82–0.89). Participants had a strong preference for avoiding diarrhoea (Odds ratio, OR=0.36 95% CI=0.33–0.38) and long term health problems (OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.28–0.32). Convenience related issues related to restrictions on taking drugs because of food or drug interactions were important to avoid (OR=0.80, 95% CI=0.76–0.83 and OR=0.72 95% CI=0.69–0.76 respectively). Participants also had a strong preference to avoid drugs which limited the effectiveness of future treatments (OR=0.70, 95% CI=0.67–0.73). Conclusions Avoidance of diarrhoea and long‐term complications were the most important drivers of patient choice. This study, from a large sample of European patients, demonstrates the importance to patients when different aspects of HIV treatment are considered simultaneously.