Treatment aspirations and attitudes towards innovative medications among people living with HIV in 25 countries

Consensus recommendations for use of long-acting antiretroviral medications in the treatment and prevention of HIV-1: Endorsed by the American Academy of HIV Medicine, American College of Clinical Pharmacy, Canadian HIV and Viral Hepatitis Pharmacists Network, European AIDS Clinical Society, and Society of Infectious Diseases Pharmacists

Five long-acting (LA) antiretrovirals (ARVs) are currently available in a limited number of countries worldwide for HIV-1 prevention or treatment-cabotegravir, rilpivirine, lenacapavir, ibalizumab, and dapivirine. Implementing use of LA ARVs into routine clinical practice requires significant changes to the current framework of HIV-1 prevention, treatment, and service provision. Given the novelty, complexity, and interdisciplinary requirements needed to safely and optimally utilize LA ARVs, consensus recommendations on the use of LA ARVs will assist clinicians in optimizing use of these agents. The purpose of these recommendations is to provide guidance for the clinical use of LA ARVs for HIV-1 treatment and prevention. In addition, future areas of research are also identified and discussed.

Patient preferences and health state utilities associated with the treatment process of antiretroviral therapy for people living with HIV

PURPOSE

People living with HIV (PLHIV) have reported challenges associated with daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART), including missed doses, negative psychological impact, and difficulty remaining discreet while at home or traveling. Recently approved long-acting injectable (LAI) ART may help eliminate these concerns. The purpose of this study was to examine patient preferences and estimate health state utilities associated with oral and LAI treatment for ART.

METHODS

Four health state vignettes were developed based on published literature, clinician interviews, and a pilot study. All vignettes included the same description of HIV, but differed in treatment regimens: (A) single daily oral tablet, (B) two daily oral tablets, (C) injections once monthly, and (D) injections every two months. PLHIV in the UK reported their preferences and valued the health states in time trade-off utility interviews.

RESULTS

The sample included 201 PLHIV (83.1% male; mean age = 44.9y). The health states frequently selected as most preferable were D (n = 119; 59.2%) and A (n = 75; 37.3%). Utility differences among health states were relatively small, which is typical for treatment process utilities (mean utilities: A, 0.908; B, 0.905; C, 0.900; D, 0.910). Statistically significant differences in utility were found for one vs. two tablets and injections every month vs. every two months (p < 0.001). Participants' quotations highlight the wide range of reasons for treatment process preferences.

CONCLUSIONS

Current results indicate that many PLHIV would prefer LAI ART. The reported utilities may be useful in economic modeling comparing oral vs. LAI ART.

Factors Associated with Treatment Satisfaction Among People Living with HIV in Japan and Other Selected Countries: Examination of the Intertwined Roles of Medication, Patient, and Provider Characteristics

We examined satisfaction and perceived challenges with antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Japan vs three other Asian countries (China, Taiwan, South Korea), and 21 non-Asian countries, using data from the 2019 Positive Perspectives Study (pooled sample size from all 25 countries = 2389). Participants in other Asian countries were more likely than those in Japan to report they missed ART ≥ 1 time in the past month because they were depressed/overwhelmed (57.4%[89/155] vs 32.0%[24/75]), had privacy concerns (56.8%[88/155] vs 30.7%[23/75]), were concerned about the potential long-term negative impacts of ART (46.5%[72/155] vs 26.7%[20/75]), or just wanted to forget about HIV (45.8%[71/155] vs 22.7%[17/75]). ART satisfaction however did not differ significantly between surveyed PLHIV in Japan (54.7%[41/75]) vs those in other Asian countries (47.7%[74/155]). The percentage who felt that daily ART dosing limited their lives was 36.0%[27/75] among participants from Japan, 48.4%[75/155] among participants from other Asian countries, and 27.3%[589/2159] among those from non-Asian countries. Within a structural equation model using pooled data from all 25 countries, positive correlations were seen between ART satisfaction and "provider engagement" (β = 0.35), high perceived control over ART dosing schedule (β = 0.28), and the belief that ART prevents HIV transmission (β = 0.16). Conversely, negative correlations were seen between ART satisfaction and experience of ART side-effects (β = - 0.24), high "ART anxiety" (β = - 0.20); and being on multi-tablet regimens (β = - 0.13). Those ART-satisfied reported higher self-rated health and greater ART adherence. These findings underscore the need for patient-centered care to enhance treatment satisfaction and improve ART adherence.

Patient and Physician Preferences for Regimen Attributes for the Treatment of HIV in the United States and Canada

A long-acting injectable (LAI) antiretroviral therapy (ART) regimen is now available as a treatment option for virologically suppressed adults with HIV-1. This study assessed preference for a LAI regimen using an online survey of virally suppressed people living with HIV (PLWH) and physicians treating HIV in the US and Canada. Preference was elicited in a discrete choice experiment (DCE) with three choice options (switch to a LAI regimen, switch to another daily oral ART regimen, or stay on their current daily oral ART regimen) and four treatment attributes. A total of 553 PLWH and 450 physicians completed the survey. From the DCE results, 59% of PLWH were predicted to prefer a LAI over an alternative oral ART or staying on their current oral treatment, and 55–66% of physicians were predicted to recommend LAI for PLWH, depending on the treatment challenge scenario presented. PLWH indicated LAI would remove daily reminders of HIV (75%) and reduce feelings of being stigmatized (68%). A majority of PLWH and physicians preferred a LAI over oral ART to overcome treatment challenges such as daily pill burden and adherence. These benefits of LAI ART along with preferences of PLWH and physicians can help to inform ART choice.

Attitudes and Perspectives of People Living With Human Immunodeficiency Virus: Findings From the Positive Perspectives Survey in Slovakia

Objectives: To investigate the perspectives and attitudes of people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Slovakia. Methods: A cross-sectional, computer-assisted web survey on health status, emotional support, stigmatisation, communication with physician, treatment, perception, decision-making, concerns, and treatment history. A representative sample of >10% of all PLHIV (N = 895) in Slovakia was invited to participate. Results: Mean age of the 117 respondents was 35.4 (±8.9) years, 52.8% had higher education, and 67.0% were in full-time employment. Most (89.4%) were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 81.8% had undetectable viral load. Most (85.1%) were satisfied with their ART, and side effects were the primary reason for switching therapies. Most (60.8%) had informed only close friends or relatives about their HIV status, only 3 (2.9%) spoke openly about it, and 60.0% hid their ART from others. Of the 31 respondents (31.6%) who experienced stigmatisation, it was primarily from dentists and other physicians who refused to treat them. Conclusion: In general, PLHIV in Slovakia receive ART and are satisfied with it. They do not speak openly about their HIV status, and some have experienced discrimination.

Patients' preferences for antiretroviral therapy service provision: a systematic review

Background

Achieving global targets of adherence to treatment, retention in care, and treatment success remains a challenge. Health system investment to make antiretroviral therapy services more responsive to patients’ needs and values could address these impediments. Appropriate resource allocation to implement differentiated HIV treatment services demands research evidence. This study aimed to provide an overview of the patients’ preferences for antiretroviral therapy service delivery features.

Methods

Electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and CINAHL) and search engines (Google and Google Scholar) were searched. This review has followed a convergent segregated approach to synthesis and integration. Data from the included studies were systematically extracted, tabulated, and summarised in a narrative review. Studies that analysed preferences for antiretroviral therapy regardless of the method used and published in the English language in any year across the world and HIV positive clients who were 15 years and above on 4th February 2021 were included for this review. The quality of the included studies was assessed using the mixed methods appraisal tool. A thematic synthesis of the data from the findings section of the main body of the qualitative study was undertaken. ATLAS.ti software version 7 was used for qualitative synthesis.

Results

From the 1054 retrieved studies, only 23 studies (16 quantitative, three qualitative, and four mixed-methods) fulfilled the inclusion criteria. The median number of attributes used in all included quantitative studies was 6 (Inter Quartile Range 3). In this review, no study has fulfilled the respective criteria in the methodological quality assessment. In the quantitative synthesis, the majority of participants more valued the outcome, whereas, in the qualitative synthesis, participants preferred more the structure aspect of antiretroviral therapy service. The thematic analysis produced 17 themes, of which ten themes were related to structure, three to process, and four to outcome dimension of Donabedian’s quality of care model. The findings from individual quantitative and qualitative syntheses complement each other.

Conclusions

In this review, participants’ value for antiretroviral therapy service characteristics varied across included studies. Priorities and values of people living with HIV should be incorporated in the policy, practice, research, and development efforts to improve the quality of antiretroviral therapy service hence avoid poor patient outcomes.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12962-021-00310-7.

Physical, Emotional, and Psychosocial Challenges Associated with Daily Dosing of HIV Medications and Their Impact on Indicators of Quality of Life: Findings from the Positive Perspectives Study

To assess challenges with daily oral antiretroviral therapy (ART), we analyzed data for 2389 participants in the 2019 Positive Perspectives survey of people living with HIV in 25 countries. ART-related challenges reported included difficulty swallowing pills (33.1% [790/2389]); stress from daily dosing routine (33.3% [795/2389]); bad memories from daily intake of HIV medication (35.1%[839/2389]), and concern “that having to take pills every day means a greater chance of revealing my HIV status to others” (37.9% [906/2389]). Individuals who felt empowered by daily oral dosing [“taking my pill(s) every day reassures me that my HIV is being kept under control”] had 69% higher odds of optimal overall health (AOR 1.69, 95% CI 1.40–2.04). Conversely, odds of optimal overall health were lower among those who felt daily pill intake “limits my day-to-day life” (AOR 0.53, 95% CI 0.44–0.64). These findings show that there is need for increased flexibility of ART delivery to meet diverse patient needs.

Regional differences in perceived treatments needs and priorities in relation to antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV in 25 countries

While geographic differences in HIV burden are well documented, less is known about regional differences in perceived treatment needs. To fill this gap, the 2019 Positive Perspectives study of people living with HIV (PLHIV) was conducted in 25 countries across Northern America, Latin America, the Asian region, Europe (EU/Schengen countries), Russia, Australia, and South Africa (n = 2389). Overall mean duration of HIV was 10.1 (SD = 9.6) years. The perception that HIV had a negative impact on day-to-day life was lowest among participants from South Africa (14.0%[25/179]) and highest among participants from the Asian region (55.2%[127/230]). Most of the regional gap in the perception that HIV had a negative impact on daily life was explained by regional differences in medication-related unmet needs, stigma, demographic factors, and comorbidities. The percentage who felt they understood their treatment was highest among participants from Australia (87.5%[105/120]) and lowest among those from Russia (62.0%[93/150]), the Asian region (62.2%[143/230]), and South Africa (62.6%[112/179]). Among participants from Northern America, Europe, and Latin America, the treatment goals with the largest absolute increase in perceived importance, from time of starting treatment to time of survey among those diagnosed for ≥1 year, were minimizing the long term impact of antiretroviral treatment and keeping the number of medicines in their antiretroviral regimen at a minimum. Tailored approaches to care of PLHIV are needed as different regions have different disease burden and treatment needs. Equitable approaches to HIV care are needed across and within regions to ensure that patients' unmet needs and preferences are addressed to improve their overall wellbeing and health-related quality of life.