Compliance with zidovudine therapy in patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus, type 1: a cross-sectional study in a municipal hospital clinic.

PURPOSE: To determine the extent of and clinical variables associated with zidovudine compliance. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A survey of 83 patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) followed in a municipal hospital clinic was performed. Compliance histories were validated by serum and urine zidovudine levels. Patient characteristics included 46% white, 63% with a history of intravenous drug use, and 59% reporting a diagnosis of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related complex (ARC). The main outcome measure was greater than 80% compliance with prescribed doses of zidovudine over the previous week.
RESULTS: Sixty-seven percent of the study patients reported greater than 80% compliance with prescribed doses of zidovudine over the previous week. The most common explanations given for missing a dose were "forgot to take zidovudine" and "did not have the medication with me." Five variables were independently associated with greater than 80% compliance as determined by stepwise multiple logistic regression: patient belief that zidovudine prolongs life (odds ratio [OR] 9.3, [95% confidence interval (CI) 2.4, 36.7]), a diagnosis of AIDS or ARC (OR 5.5, [CI 1.5, 20.4]), use of a medication timer (OR 4.4, [CI 1.0, 19.1]), no history of intravenous drug use (OR 3.7, [CI 1.0, 14.2]), and taking one to three other medications with zidovudine.
CONCLUSIONS: High compliance with zidovudine was achieved by HIV-infected patients in a municipal hospital clinic, many of whom had a history of intravenous drug use. Compliance with zidovudine may be enhanced by a patient's belief that it prolongs life and the use of a medication timer for proper dosing.