Patient-reported symptoms on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz/emtricitabine/tenofovir

AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2012 Jun;26(6):312-9. doi: 10.1089/apc.2012.0044. Epub 2012 May 21.

Abstract

Most patients (80-90%) newly diagnosed with HIV are started on the antiretroviral regimen efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF). Existing studies of patient tolerability, however, are limited. We compared symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF, and the subsequent impact on health-related quality of life, with those of patients on other combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the Veterans Aging Cohort Study from February 2008 to August 2009 to compare the symptom experiences of patients on EFV/FTC/TDF vs. other cART, unadjusted and then adjusted for treatment characteristics, and comorbid disease severity. We then assessed the association between EFV/FTC/TDF use and health-related quality of life. Among the 1,759 patients in our analytic sample, EFV/FTC/TDF use was associated with fewer symptoms than was other cART. The use of EFV/FTC/TDF was independently associated with health-related quality of life, and this association was at least partially explained by symptom burden.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non-P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adenine / adverse effects
  • Adenine / analogs & derivatives
  • Adenine / therapeutic use
  • Alkynes
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Benzoxazines / adverse effects
  • Benzoxazines / therapeutic use
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Deoxycytidine / adverse effects
  • Deoxycytidine / analogs & derivatives
  • Deoxycytidine / therapeutic use
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Emtricitabine
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Health Status*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Organophosphonates / adverse effects
  • Organophosphonates / therapeutic use
  • Quality of Life*
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Tenofovir
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Veterans

Substances

  • Alkynes
  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Benzoxazines
  • Cyclopropanes
  • Organophosphonates
  • Deoxycytidine
  • Tenofovir
  • Emtricitabine
  • Adenine
  • efavirenz