Knowledge of structured treatment interruption and adherence to antiretroviral therapy

We conducted a survey of 106 HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy at a community hospital in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, to determine the extent of patient knowledge and attitudes about structured treatment interruption (STI) and whether these were factors in adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Thirty-six percent of patients possessed knowledge of STI as a treatment option and four patients reported that they had stopped taking antiretroviral therapy without specific recommendation from their physician based on information they had heard or read about STI. There was no difference in median adherence based on whether a patient was aware of STI, however, in the group who had heard of STI, attitude that STI is very beneficial was correlated with greater adherence to medication. More than one third of HIV-infected patients on antiretroviral therapy possessed knowledge of STI, and this knowledge affected adherence to antiretroviral regimens. Providers caring for HIV-infected patients should routinely inquire about patient knowledge of STI as another factor in assessing adherence to antiretroviral therapy.