Preferences for long-acting treatment among people with HIV: a discrete choice experiment

Long-acting regimens (LAR) are emerging as a promising strategy to enhance treatment satisfaction and improve quality of life of people with HIV. A comprehensive understanding of treatment preferences is essential to effectively address the needs and expectations of people with HIV.

A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted to identify preferences for LAR among people with HIV.

Our study was conducted at the HIV-outpatient clinic of the Amsterdam UMC between May and August 2024. The survey included 24 choice scenarios, each presenting participants with two unlabeled treatment options. Six attributes were evaluated: mode of administration, administration frequency, risk of viral resistance, risk of side effects, setting of administration, and allowance for delayed dosing. Data were analyzed using a panel data mixed logit choice model in Stata 17.

A total of 259 participants completed the DCE. Eighty-eight percent were cisgender male, with a median age of 57 years [23-84]. Mode of administration emerged as the most significant factor influencing treatment choice, with tablets being the most preferred option. Participants generally favored regimens with lower administration frequency and a lower risk of viral resistance. Allowance for delayed dosing, the setting of administration, and the risk of side effects had the least influence on treatment choice.

Our results indicate that treatment choice is primarily driven by the mode of administration, with tablets being the most preferred option. This is followed by dosing frequency and risk of viral resistance. These findings offer important insights for optimizing treatment approaches and advancing person-centered care strategies.