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

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

E Jennifer Edelman  1 , Kirsha Gordon, Maria C Rodriguez-Barradas, Amy C Justice; Vacs Project Team
Affiliations

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

E Jennifer Edelman et al. AIDS Patient Care STDS. 2012 Jun.

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.

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Figures

FIG. 1.
FIG. 1.
Analytic sample.
FIG. 2.
FIG. 2.
Patient-reported symptoms on efavirenz, emtricitabine, and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF) versus other combination antiretroviral therapy (cART), n=1,759. Asterix (*) indicates statistical significance at p<0.05 level.
FIG. 3.
FIG. 3.
Adjusted association between efavirenz, emtricitabine and tenofovir (EFV/FTC/TDF) use and bothersome symptoms, using logistic regression (n=1,759) adjusted for Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) index; combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) adherence; and cART-naïve treatment status. Asterix (*) indicates statistical significance at p<0.05 level.
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