Abstract
Background/aimThe HIV-infected population is aging, and the concomitant comorbidities increase the likelihood of polypharmacy. There is a scarcity of data for determining drug-related problems in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Materials and methodsThis cross-sectional study was carried out between 1 September 2015 and 1 July 2016. All patients underwent a face-to-face interview with a clinical pharmacist. PCNE Classification V 7.0 was used classify incident drug-related problems (DRPs). ResultsThe mean age of the patients was 40.4 ± 13.06 years. The rate of polypharmacy was 66.1% in patients with comorbidities and 12.3% in those without comorbidities (P < 0.001). DRPs were more prominent in older patients (46 vs. 37 years, P < 0.001), those with longer durations of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (45 vs. 27 months, P = 0.014), and those with lower education levels (P = 0.013). Receiving >3 ART drugs was associated with more DRPs in the logistic regression model (odds ratio: 8.299, 95% confidence interval: 1.924–35.803). Fifty-eight interventions were performed in 45 (24.9%) patients. Clinical pharmacist interventions were performed in 18.9% of patients without polypharmacy and in 38.9% of patients with polypharmacy (P < 0.001). ConclusionDRPs and polypharmacy are common among elderly PLWHA. More interventions are warranted to boost the quality of life in aging PLWHA.
Highlights
According to the World Health Organization, 1 out of 200 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in 2015, and four new infections occurred each minute
drug-related problems (DRPs) were more prominent in older patients (46 vs. 37 years, P < 0.001), those with longer durations of antiretroviral therapy (ART) (45 vs. 27 months, P = 0.014), and those with lower education levels (P = 0.013)
Receiving >3 ART drugs was associated with more DRPs in the logistic regression model
Summary
According to the World Health Organization, 1 out of 200 people were living with human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in 2015, and four new infections occurred each minute (http://www.unaids.org/sites/default/files/media_asset/ global-AIDS-update-2016_en.pdf). The first HIV/AIDS case in Turkey was reported in 1985 and more than 12,000 people have been diagnosed since [1]. The Turkish HIV epidemic has recently expanded at an accelerated rate and the number of new HIV diagnoses has increased by 450% after 2010 (https://www.saglik.gov.tr). Life expectancy in HIV-infected populations is approaching that of uninfected populations, and the difference is getting smaller every year [2]. People living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are destined to receive multiple medications to suppress viral replication, as well as to manage/treat concomitant diseases. As lifelong treatment is required, it is fundamental to provide safe and effective
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