Synergist effect of antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral load suppression on quality of life of people with HIV/AIDS

ABSTRACT
Aims: This study investigated the synergistic and independent effects of
adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral load on quality of life
(QoL) among people with HIV/AIDS. Methods: This was a cross-sectional
study of 129 patients with HIV/AIDS. The WHOQOL-BREF and the Morisky
Medication Adherence Scale were used to measure QoL and adherence
respectively. Information on viral load and CD4 cell count was obtained
from patients’ records and verified by a physician. An additive interaction
method was used to estimate the synergistic effect of the linear regression.
Findings: Patients who were adhering to ART and had an undetectable viral
load had significantly higher scores on four domains of QoL − environment,
physical health, social relationships and psychological − than those who were
non-adherent. Moreover, ART adherence and undetectable viral load had a
positive synergistic effect on QoL after controlling for covariate variables.
Conclusion: Participants were more likely to have a good QoL if they had both
undetectable viral loads and good ART adherence.
Key words: Adherence ■ Antiretroviral therapy ■ CD4 cell count ■ HIV/AIDS
■ Quality of life ■ Viral load