Intravenous Drug Use, Relationship With Providers, and Stage of HIV Disease Influence the Prescription Rates of Protease Inhibitors

Abstract

Objective: To assess rates of prescriptions of protease inhibitors (PI) and determinants of not being prescribed PIs in a cohort of HIV-infected people eligible (according to published guidelines) for highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). Design: Cross-sectional survey. Methods: A total of 684 patients with CD4⁺ counts + counts 200 cells/μl (OR, 1.76; 95% CI, 1.19-2.61), and patients with early stage disease (OR, 2.24; 95% CI, 1.73-2.90) were less likely to have be prescribed PIs. Conclusions: Of patients eligible for HAART, only 61% were prescribed PIs. People who wanted more information, IDUs, and patients in earlier disease stages are significantly less likely to be prescribed PIs. Access to HAART remains a critical issue in the management of HIV disease.