The effect of a multidisciplinary program on HAART adherence

Although emerging evidence suggests differing interventions may improve antiretroviral adherence, there has not been a formal evaluation to identify the impact of a clinic-based multidisciplinary program designed to provide education and identify and correct potential adherence barriers prior to the initiation of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). A retrospective cohort study utilizing a historical control group was conducted to compare duration on antiretrovirals, clinical indicators, and adherence rates, as captured by pharmacy refill records. Two hundred sixty-one patients met criteria for inclusion (109 subjects, 152 controls). Time to stopping antiretrovirals, as evidenced by Kaplan-Meier plot, was significantly higher in Protocol group than Controls (log-rank p = 0.023): the median duration on HAART for the intervention group was greater than 360 days but only 210 days for the control group. Thus, more subjects in the protocol group continued on therapy for the full year: 60 (55%) versus 65 (43%) for the control group. The mean reduction in log10 viral loads between HAART initiation and 12 months was greatest for the intervention group with viral load at HAART initiation 100,000 copies per milliliter or more, -3.57 versus -1.78 for controls with viral load less than 100,000 copies per milliliter (p < 0.001). For the intervention group, the mean number of adherence barriers identified per person was 4% and 72% were found to have three or more barriers. Patients at high risk for poor adherence benefit from multidisciplinary education and proactive identification of adherence barriers by exhibiting prolonged duration on therapy and greater reduction in log10 viral loads.