HIV/AIDS-Specific Quality of Life and Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy Over Time

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Abstract
Objective: To determine if HIV/AIDS-specific quality of life (QOL) predicts adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods: HIV-infected outpatients on efavirenz plus 2 or 3 nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors and with HIV viral loads P = 0.02). Those with low versus high adherence also were more likely to use alcohol (P = 0.01) and other drugs (P = 0.02) currently at baseline. Regression analysis led to a model that included only current alcohol use (odds ratio [OR] = 2.65, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.20 to 5.87)) and financial worries (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.03 to 1.310, for each 10-unit rise). Conclusions: Baseline financial worries were associated with antiretroviral adherence later in time. Questions about paying bills and financial ability to care for oneself may be clinically useful in identifying patients who will have suboptimal adherence.