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Abstract
Motivations and consequences of treatment interruptions from the patient perspective
Grierson J.1, Thorpe R.1, Pitts M.1
Introduction: Treatment breaks may take a number of forms and be undertaken for many reasons. While considerable discussion in the clinical community surrounds the benefits and dangers of treatment interruptions, little is known about the motivations, experiences and consequences of breaks for HIV positive people.
Methods: The results reported here are drawn from the HIV Futures 4 survey, a cross-sectional nationwide study of clinical and social aspects of the lives of PLWHA. The study was conducted in 2003 and obtained a sample of 1,059 participants of diverse backgrounds. The results presented in this paper are drawn from a section of the survey asking participants to give detailed information on their most recent interruption to antiretroviral treatment.
Results: In all, 47% of those respondents currently using antiretroviral medication had taken a break from these at some point. The mean length most recent break was 87 days. 20% described the break as a structured treatment interruption, while 59% described it as a treatment break. 49% gave lifestyle reasons for taking the break, and 58% gave clinical reasons. 33% said that their health remained stable, 20% said it improved. 29% said their well-being was stable and 32% that it improved. The impact on clinical markers was less positive. 65% indicated that their viral load had increased, and 56% that their CD4 count had decreased. When asked about involvement of their primary doctor in breaks, they were less likely to talk to their doctor prior to taking (67%) than during the break (71%) or afterwards (90%). 50% talked to their doctor at all three stages of the treatment break.
Conclusions: While clinical considerations are clearly important in the decision to interrupt treatment, social factors such as quality of life, and the burden of HIV positivity remain critical to our understandings of treatment breaks.
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment
Abstract no.
WePe12.4C01
Suggested Citation
"GriersonJ., et al.
Motivations and consequences of treatment interruptions from the patient perspective.
Poster Exhibition:
The 3rd IAS Conference on HIV Pathogenesis and Treatment:
Abstract no.
WePe12.4C01"
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