Photo Credit: RafaPress
The following is a summary of “Patient preferences for long-acting HIV treatment: a preference heterogeneity assessment,” published in the February 2025 issue of BMC Infectious Diseases by Saldarriaga et al.
Researchers conducted a retrospective study to analyze the preference heterogeneity for long-acting antiretroviral therapy (LA-ART) among people with HIV (PWH) in western Washington State and Atlanta, Georgia, and its association with individual characteristics.
They surveyed 699 PWH using 17 choice tasks, each comparing 2 hypothetical LA-ART options with daily oral therapy. Hypothetical alternatives varied by mode (long-acting [LA] oral pills, subcutaneous injections, intramuscular injections, implants), frequency, treatment location (home, clinic, pharmacy), injection pain, pre-treatment time undetectable, pre-treatment reaction testing, and late-dose leeway. A latent class model was applied to analyze data, evaluating associations between class membership and individual characteristics.
The results showed 3 preference-based classes in the sample. The LA-Implant class (29%) and LA-Oral-or-Injection class (35%) favored LA-ART, while the Daily-or-LA-Oral class (36%) preferred daily oral therapy or LA oral pills at home. Compared to the third class, the other 2 were younger, more educated, less adherent to current ART, and less hesitant about injections. The LA-Implant participants had lower viral suppression rates and better clinic access, while LA-Oral-or-Injection participants had a higher prevalence of psychotic disorders.
Investigators concluded a deeper understanding of the preference landscape for LA-ART and could aid in developing interventions better aligned with individual preferences.
Source: bmcinfectdis.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12879-025-10546-w
