BACKGROUND: Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), AIDS-related hospitalizations have decreased. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of adherence on hospitalization among antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infected persons initiating HAART. METHODS: Analysis was based on a cohort of individuals initiating HAART between 1996 and 2001. The primary outcome was hospitalization for one or more days. Survival methods were used to assess the impact of adherence on hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 1605 eligible participants, 672 (42%) were hospitalized for one or more days after initiating HAART. Median adherence levels were 92 (IQR: 58, 100) and 100 (IQR: 83, 100) among those ever and never hospitalized, respectively. After controlling for confounders, those with <95% adherence had 1.88 times (95% CI: 1.60, 2.21) higher risk for hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal adherence among HIV-infected patients taking HAART predicts hospitalization. Identifying and addressing factors contributing to poor adherence early in treatment could improve patient care and lower hospitalization costs.
BACKGROUND: Since the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), AIDS-related hospitalizations have decreased. The objective of this study was to assess the impact of adherence on hospitalization among antiretroviral-naïve HIV-infectedpersons initiating HAART. METHODS: Analysis was based on a cohort of individuals initiating HAART between 1996 and 2001. The primary outcome was hospitalization for one or more days. Survival methods were used to assess the impact of adherence on hospitalization. RESULTS: Of 1605 eligible participants, 672 (42%) were hospitalized for one or more days after initiating HAART. Median adherence levels were 92 (IQR: 58, 100) and 100 (IQR: 83, 100) among those ever and never hospitalized, respectively. After controlling for confounders, those with <95% adherence had 1.88 times (95% CI: 1.60, 2.21) higher risk for hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: Suboptimal adherence among HIV-infectedpatients taking HAART predicts hospitalization. Identifying and addressing factors contributing to poor adherence early in treatment could improve patient care and lower hospitalization costs.
Authors: Cathy M Puskas; Jamie I Forrest; Surita Parashar; Kate A Salters; Angela M Cescon; Angela Kaida; Cari L Miller; David R Bangsberg; Robert S Hogg Journal: Curr HIV/AIDS Rep Date: 2011-12 Impact factor: 5.071