Positive Experiences and Few Needs Among HIV Patients Using Dolutegravir/Lamivudine

Strategic Insights -

According to research published in The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, a large representative population of HIV patients who switched to dolutegravir/lamivudine (DTG/3TC) treatment had primarily positive experiences and few needs. The study, titled PAIRED, aimed to understand the treatment experiences and satisfaction of people with HIV using two-drug regimens. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining a quantitative cross-sectional survey with qualitative interviews.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study involved 474 participants, with 20 of them participating in qualitative interviews. The participants were predominantly non-white (48%) and aged 50 years or older (50%).
  • High treatment satisfaction, adherence, and quality of life (QOL) scores were reported by the participants.
  • Six themes were extracted from the qualitative interviews: fewer drugs are important in HIV treatment, high DTG/3TC satisfaction is largely due to efficacy and safety, DTG/3TC simplicity and convenience enable more freedom and autonomy, treatment advancements have led to HIV no longer being a 'death sentence', managing HIV is no longer the main concern relative to other health conditions, and some HIV unmet needs remain.
  • The research concluded that the data complement clinical trial data and support the effectiveness and tolerability of DTG/3TC in real-world settings.
  • The study found that HIV treatment advancements have significantly improved the quality of life for patients, making it no longer a 'death sentence'.
  • The research highlights the importance of monitoring HIV treatment satisfaction and adherence to ensure ongoing needs are met and to reach the goal of Ending the HIV Epidemic.

Statistics:

  • 474 participants completed the survey, with 20 of them participating in qualitative interviews.
  • 48% of the participants were non-white, and 50% were 50 years or older.
  • 31% of the participants were females assigned at birth.
  • The participants reported high treatment satisfaction, adherence, and QOL scores.

Sources:

  • PAIRED: Quantitative and Qualitative PAtIent-Reported Experiences and perceiveD Benefit of Treatment with Dolutegravir/Lamivudine in the United States. The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research, 2025.
  • The Patient - Patient-Centered Outcomes Research. Adis Int Ltd, 5 The Warehouse Way, Northcote 0627, Auckland, New Zealand.
  • Saint Michael's Medical Center. Newark, NJ, United States.