Polypharmacy & Treatment Challenges
Impact of polypharmacy
Advances in HIV treatment, such as ART, have enabled people living with HIV to lead longer lives.[1] In turn, people living with HIV now face the challenge of an elevated risk for developing comorbidities, and the associated burden of developing polypharmacy—generally defined as taking 5 or more pills a day.[2]
The Positive Perspectives Wave 2 study investigated the burden of comorbidity and polypharmacy—defined as taking 5 or more pills per day or medicines for 5 or more health conditions—among people living with HIV, and found both were prevalent within the cohort:[2,3]
*Total number of participants is 2,112 as the figures were calculated before the inclusion of additional data from Russia and South Africa.
Adapted from Positive Perspectives Study, Wave 2 Results Report.[3]
Polypharmacy within Positive Perspectives Wave 2 was also found to negatively impact the HRQoL of people living with HIV, regardless of viral suppression status.[2]
These results from the Positive Perspectives Wave 2 study reaffirm the need for open and active dialogue to understand the concerns of people living with HIV.[3] Concerns about the evolving treatment needs of people living with HIV should be discussed with HCPs to ensure best possible HRQoL.[3]
See how polypharmacy impacts the HRQoL of people living with HIV
Treatment challenges and aspirations
While ART has transformed the lives of millions of people living with HIV, treatment priorities and concerns around adherence continue to evolve.[3,4] Adherence concerns arise from a myriad of complex unmet psychological, emotional and physical needs experienced by people living with HIV.[4]
Results from the Positive Perspectives Wave 2 study indicate many people living with HIV have concerns that may affect their treatment adherence, but which they may not feel comfortable discussing with their HCP. A majority of participants also believed future advancements in HIV care would improve their health.[3,4]
Open and active dialogue may be a useful tool for improving HRQoL for people living with HIV who have concerns that could affect adherence. Initiating discussions around HIV care provides the opportunity for people living with HIV to raise health concerns and may allow HCPs to identify and address specific needs.[3–5]
How can discussing concerns around adherence help tailor HIV care to meet the health goals of people living with HIV?
The Positive Perspectives Wave 2 study was sponsored by ViiV Healthcare.
This study could not have been completed without people living with HIV who have generously shared their time, experiences, and bodies, for the purposes of this research. Much of the fight against HIV and AIDS relies upon people living with HIV continuing to put themselves forward and this research and our fight against HIV and AIDS is indebted to those past and present.
References:
- The Antiretroviral Therapy Cohort Collaboration. Lancet HIV. 2017; 4(8): e349–56.
- Okoli C et al. Prev Chronic Dis. 2020; 17: E22.
- ViiV Healthcare. Positive Perspectives Study, Wave 2 Results Report. June 2021. Available at: https://viivhealthcare.com/content/dam/cf-viiv/viiv-healthcare/en_GB/files/030821-updated-pp2-report-approved.pdf Accessed April 2024.
- de Los Rios P et al. AIDS Behav. 2021; 25(3): 961–72.
- de Los Rios P et al. Popul Med. 2020; 2: 23.
NP-AU-HVX-WCNT-220003 | Date of preparation: April 2024.
