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A critical feature of an adherence assessment tool is its ability to predict virologic failure in people living with HIV (PLHIV). We, therefore, aimed to compare the predictive performance of commonly used adherence measures. We systematically searched MEDLINE, Embase and LILACS up to February 2018, to identify relevant observational studies comparing the effects of any two of the following adherence measurements on virologic outcomes: electronic monitoring, pill count, pharmacy refill, self-report and physician assessment. We analyzed data by pairwise meta-analyzes with a random-effects model. The proportion of virologic failures among non-adherent participants in each adherence measure was used to calculate the odds ratio (OR), with 95% Confidence Intervals (95%CI). Heterogeneity was assessed, with potential causes identified by sensitivity and subgroup analysis. We included 38 studies with individual patient data for 18,010 patients. All possible comparisons between pairs of the five adherence measures were considered and a total of nine comparison groups could be established. Meta-analysis suggested that self-report was a better predictor of virologic failure than pill count when the recall period was within one week (OR: 2.35, 95%CI: 1.07-5.18, p = 0.03). Physician assessment had higher odds of predicting virologic failure than did either self-report (OR: 2.63, 95%CI: 1.37-5.26, p 0.01) or pharmacy refill (OR: 3.57, 95%CI: 1.69-7.14, p 0.001). There was no difference in the predictive performance between any of the other measures that we were able to compare (p 0.05). The combination of multiple measures did not increase the predictive value when compared to any of the measures alone. Low-cost and simple adherence measures such as self-report predict virologic failure better than or equally well as objective measures. Our results suggest that there is no need to use expensive or time-consuming adherence measures when the objective is to identify PLHIV at risk of treatment failure.

We evaluated adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) and its associated factors according to the type of regimen in patients initiating treatment in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais State, Brazil. We measured adherence using the eight items Morisky Therapeutic Adhesion Scale (MMAS-8) and compared the use of “backbone” tenofovir/lamivudine plus efavirenz one tablet once-daily (STR) or dolutegravir in multi-tablet once-daily (MTR-DTG), or other multi-tablet regimens (MTR-other). We conducted a multivariate logistic regression analysis to address factors associated with adherence. A total of 393 patients were included, 254 used STR, 106 MTR-DTG, and 33 MTR-other. The overall adhesion rate was 44.8% (95%CI: 39.4; 50.1), 50% for MTR-DTG, 43.3% for STR and 39.4% for MTR-other. Multivariate analysis showed a higher chance of adherence among patients using MTR-DTG, those who received and understood counseling about their treatment and with a higher quality of life. Prior use of illicit drugs in the lifetime was associated with poorer adherence. Overall adherence was low, highlighting the need for strategies focusing on counseling about medicines and substance use. Pill burden was not an issue for patients using MTR-DTG once-daily, who achieved better results. Resumo: Avaliamos a adesão à terapia antirretroviral (TARV) e fatores associados de acordo com o tipo de esquema em pacientes no início do tratamento em Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. Mensuramos a adesão com a Escala de Adesão Terapêutica de Morisky, de oito itens (MMAS-8), e comparamos o uso de tenofovir/lamivudina com efavirenz, um comprimido uma vez ao dia (STR), ou dolutegravir em múltiplos comprimidos uma vez ao dia (MTR-DTG), com outros esquemas com múltiplos comprimidos ao dia (MTR-outros). Conduzimos uma análise de regressão logística multivariada para avaliar os fatores associados à adesão. Foram incluídos 393 pacientes: 254 em uso de STR, 106 MTR-DTG e 33 MTR-outros. A taxa global de adesão foi 44,8% (IC95%: 39,4; 50,1), sendo 50% para MTR-DTG, 43,3% para STR e 39,4% para MTR-outros. A análise multivariada mostrou chances maiores de adesão em pacientes em uso de MTR-DTG, pacientes que haviam recebido e compreendido o aconselhamento sobre o tratamento e pacientes com melhor qualidade de vida. Uso anterior de drogas ilícitas em qualquer período da vida está associada à pior adesão. A adesão global foi baixa, enfatizando a necessidade de estratégias focadas no aconselhamento sobre medicamentos e uso de drogas. A quantidade de comprimidos não foi um problema para pacientes em uso de MTR-DTG uma vez ao dia, os quais alcançaram melhores taxas de adesão. Resumen: Evaluamos la adherencia a la terapia antirretroviral altamente activa (TARAA) y sus factores asociados, según el tipo de tratamiento en pacientes que comenzaron su tratamiento en Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brasil. La adherencia se mensuró por la Escala de Adhesión Terapéutica de Morisky, de ocho ítems (MMAS-8), y se comparó el uso del “eje” tenofovir/lamivudina, además de un comprimido de efavirenz una vez al día (STR) o dolutegravir con varios comprimidos una vez al día (MTR-DTG), u otros tratamientos con múltiples comprimidos (MTR-otros). Se realizó un análisis multivariado de regresión logística para evaluar los factores asociados a la adherencia. Se incluyeron un total de 393 pacientes, 254 usaron STR, 106 MTR-DTG, y 33 MTR-Otros. La tasa de adherencia general fue de un 44,8% (95%CI: 39,4; 50,1), 50% en el MTR-DTG, 43,3% en el STR y 39,4% en el MTR-otros. El análisis multivariado mostró una probabilidad más alta de adherencia entre pacientes usando MTR-DTG, quienes recibieron y comprendieron las orientaciones acerca de sus tratamientos y los que disfrutaban de una calidad mejor de vida. El consumo previo de drogas ilícitas a lo largo de la vida estuvo asociado con una adherencia más escasa. La adherencia general fue baja y resalta la necesidad de estrategias que se enfoquen en brindar orientación sobre el uso de la medicación y de sustancias. El número de comprimidos no fue un problema para los pacientes que tomaban MTR-DTG una vez al día, que obtuvieron mejores resultados.