Patient-Reported Outcomes (PROs) in HIV Infection: Points to Consider and Challenges

Should we measure quality of life among people with HIV? A multicentre survey of physicians' opinions in Spain

OBJECTIVES

We assessed the opinions of physicians caring for people with HIV (PWH) from the multicentre Spanish CoRIS cohort regarding the assessment of health-related quality of life (HRQoL).

METHODS

We designed an online self-administered questionnaire comprising 27 structured questions across four domains: (i) sociodemographic and clinical data; (ii) usefulness of measuring HRQoL; (iii) information, training and resource needed; and (iv) whether and how HRQoL should be measured. Physicians completed the questionnaire between April and June 2023.

RESULTS

Of 131 physicians surveyed [53.8% men, median age 52 years (interquartile range: 42-60)], 90.9% and 88.6% agreed that measuring HRQoL is useful for both PWH and medical decision-making, respectively. However, 67.2% needed training on what HRQoL is and how to measure it, 79.4% required information on validated tools, and 80.9% felt that clinical guidelines are needed. Overall, 90.1% of physicians agreed that HRQoL should be measured among PWH. Most physicians (82.8%) supported using specific scales for PWH, with 74.1% recommending annual measurement, 49.1% suggesting that nurses from HIV units conduct the assessments, and 43.1% favouring personal interviews during medical visits. At the time of the survey, 55.3% of physicians did not measure HRQoL in any patients due to time or resource constraints (75.8%).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the recognized importance of HRQoL measurement in PWH, Spanish physicians encounter barriers such as time constraints and limited resources. Developing clear guidelines, using tailored scales, and integrating digital tools along with multidisciplinary support could enhance routine HRQoL assessments and improve patient-centred care.

Perception of medical care among women living with HIV aged 40 years or older-A European-wide survey

OBJECTIVES

Our objective was to explore how women living with HIV aged ≥40 years perceive their care in relation to their HIV infection, comorbidities, and menopausal health and to evaluate the extent to which the care they receive meets their expectations, comparatively across World Health Organization (WHO) European regions.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional survey (May-December 2023) among women living with HIV aged ≥40 years from the WHO European region. Five dimensions of care were assessed: content of care, information, relationship with caregiver, organization of care, and patients' rights and privacy, in addition to management of non-HIV comorbidities and menopause.

RESULTS

In total, 600 women completed the survey; they were predominantly from the Western European region (70.2%), followed by the Eastern (20.2%) and Central (9.6%) regions. The majority of women (46.5%-95.1%) described positive experiences, responding that they were 'always' or 'usually' satisfied with the five dimensions of HIV care. The concordance between perceptions and experiences of HIV care ranged from 49.4% to 96.1% and was lower in the Eastern region. Among menopausal women, 58.5% were 'very satisfied' or 'satisfied' with the care they received; satisfaction was significantly lower in Eastern European countries than in Western countries.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results highlighted a generally high concordance between respondents' expectations and the services provided, including both HIV and non-HIV care. Women aged ≥40 years living with HIV face several challenges that should be addressed. These findings inform stakeholders and decision-makers about the need to adopt a more inclusive and sensitive approach in healthcare systems.

Three Novel Patient-Reported Outcome Measures to Assess the Patient Experience With Daily and Weekly HIV Oral Antiretroviral Therapy

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can provide data on the barriers and facilitators of adherence to daily oral antiretroviral therapy (OART) regimens. We aimed to develop PROMs to understand the perspectives of people with HIV (PWH) on (1) facilitators/barriers to daily OART regimen adherence and (2) a hypothetical switch to a long-acting (LA)-OART regimen.

METHODS

Following the US food and drug administration patient-reported outcome guidance, targeted literature reviews and concept elicitation interviews with clinicians (n = 7) and PWH (n = 28) were conducted to develop conceptual models (CMs) of facilitators/barriers to OART regimen adherence. Three de novo PROMs were developed after an item-generation meeting. Three waves of cognitive debriefing interviews were conducted among PWH (n = 30) to demonstrate content validity and refine the PROMs.

RESULTS

The targeted literature review identified 25 facilitators/barriers; an additional 16 facilitators/barriers were added by clinicians and PWH and represented in 2 CMs. During the item-generation meeting, the CMs were used to develop 3 de novo PROMs: (1) HIV Patient Perspective of Regimen, (2) HIV Patient Perspective of Regimen Change, and (3) HIV Drivers of Adherence Questionnaire. In the cognitive debriefing interviews, PWH corroborated the relevancy of items in the PROMs, and minor adjustments were made for clarity.

CONCLUSION

Three content-valid PROMs were developed to understand the treatment experience of PWH taking daily OART and how that experience may be altered upon a switch to weekly LA-OART. Data from future LA-OART clinical trials will help define a scoring guide and evaluate the structure and measurement properties of the PROMs.

Patient-reported outcome measures in adult HIV care: A rapid scoping review of targeted outcomes and instruments used

OBJECTIVE

There is international interest in the integration of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) into routine HIV care, but little work has synthesized the content of published initiatives. We conducted a rapid scoping review primarily to identify their selected patient-reported outcomes and respective instruments.

METHODS

Four databases were searched on 4 May 2022 (Medline, Embase, CINAHL and PsychINFO) for relevant English language documents published from 2005 onwards. Dual review of at least 20% of records, full texts and data extraction was performed. Outcomes and instruments were classified with an adapted 14-domain taxonomy. Instruments with evidence of validation were described.

RESULTS

Of 13 062 records generated for review, we retained a final sample of 94 documents, referring to 60 distinct initiatives led mostly in the USA (n = 29; 48% of initiatives), Europe (n = 16; 27%) and Africa (n = 9; 15%). The measured patient-reported outcome domains were: mental health (n = 42; 70%), substance use (n = 23; 38%), self-management (n = 16; 27%), symptoms (n = 12; 20%), sexual/reproductive health (n = 12; 20%), physical health (n = 9; 15%), treatment (n= 8; 13%), cognition (n = 7; 12%), quality of life (n = 7; 12%), violence/abuse (n = 6; 10%), stigma (n = 6; 10%), socioeconomic issues (n = 5; 8%), social support (n = 3; 5%) and body/facial appearance (n = 1; 2%). Initiatives measured 2.6 outcome domains, on average (range = 1-11). In total, 62 distinct validated PROMs were identified, with 53 initiatives (88%) employing at least one (M = 2.2). Overwhelmingly, the most used instrument was any version of the Patient Health Questionnaire to measure symptoms of depression, employed by over a third (26; 43%) of initiatives.

CONCLUSION

Published PROM initiatives in HIV care have spanned 19 countries and disproportionately target mental health and substance use.