Improving adhesion to antiretroviral treatment

• Published in: Farmacia hospitalaria 2008-11, Vol.32 (6), p.349-357
• Main Authors: Grupo de Estudio del Sida (GESIDA), Panel de expertos de Secretaría del Plan Nacional sobre el Sida (SPNS), Sociedad Española de Farmacia Hospitalaria (SEFH)
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Algorithms; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Humans; Patient Compliance
• ISSN: 1130-6343

To facilitate unified criteria for health professionals to improve adhesion to antiretroviral therapy. The recommendations were drawn up and agreed upon by an expert panel from the SPNS, GESIDA and SEFH, after an exhaustive review of the latest relevant epidemiological and clinical studies that have been published in the medical literature and/or presented at congresses and scientific forums. The factors related to adhesion with antiretroviral therapy came from individuals, health care professionals and treatment variables. Current available methods for measuring adhesion are diverse and classified as direct and indirect. The ideal method is shown to be one which is highly sensitive and specific, enables quantitative and continuous measurement and is reliable, reproducible, economical and quick. The doctor, nurse and pharmacist play a key role in the strategies for adhesion improvement. Specific programmes based on exhaustive knowledge of individualized variables from patients and their antiretroviral therapy should be developed. The use of combined methods which are adapted to healthcare facility characteristics for adhesion improvement is recommended. The structured support to interpersonal adhesion developed by trained healthcare professionals and individualized strategies has been demonstrated as being the most effective intervention strategy to improve adhesion with antiretroviral treatment.