Nonadherence raises concerns over resistance
Nonadherence raises concerns over resistance
More than three-quarters of HIV-positive patients interviewed in 12 states are taking antiretroviral therapy, but only 65% report that they always take their medications as directed. The finding underscores the concerns that poor compliance is more prevalent than assumed.
Researchers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention analyzed drug adherence for more than 1,200 patients at selected health facilities. Of the 81% on therapy, 90% were taking at least two drugs and 55% were taking one or more protease inhibitors.
The researchers found that only 65% of patients reported "always" taking their medications as prescribed, while 25% said they "usually" did and 9% said they "sometimes, rarely, or never" took them as prescribed. Researchers also found that patients were more likely to always take their medications if they had been on treatment for less than two years.
CDC officials caution that poor compliance will hasten emergence of drug-resistant strains of HIV.
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