Patient-reported outcomes among people living with HIV on single- versus multi-tablet regimens: Data from a real-life setting

Background The use of single-tablet regimens (STRs) in HIV treatment is ubiquitous. However, reintroducing the (generic) components as multi-tablet regimens (MTRs) could be an interesting cost-reducing strategy. It is essential to involve patient-reported outcome measures (PROs) to examine the effects of such an approach. Hence, this study compared PROs of people living with HIV taking an STR versus a MTR in a real world setting. Materials and methods This longitudinal study included 188 people living with HIV. 132 remained on a MTR and 56 switched to an STR. At baseline, months 1-3-6-12-18 and 24, participants filled in questionnaires on health-related quality of life (HRQoL), depressive symptoms, HIV symptoms, neurocognitive complaints (NCC), treatment satisfaction and adherence. Generalized linear mixed models and generalized estimation equations mixed models were built. Results Clinical parameters and PROs of the two groups were comparable at baseline. Neurocognitive complaints and treatment satisfaction did differ over time among the groups. In the STR-group, the odds of having NCC increased monthly by 4,1% as compared to the MTR-group (p = 0.035). Moreover, people taking an STR were more satisfied with their treatment after 6 months: the median change score was high: 24 (IQR 7,5–29). Further, treatment satisfaction showed a contrary evolution in the groups: the estimated state score of the STR-group increased by 3,3 while it decreased by 0,2 in the MTR-group (p = 0.003). No differences over time between the groups were observed with regard to HRQoL, HIV symptoms, depressive symptoms and adherence. Conclusions Neurocognitive complaints were more frequently reported among people on an STR versus MTR. This finding contrasts with the higher treatment satisfaction in the STR-group over time. The long-term effects of both PROs should guide the decision-making on STRs vs. (generic) MTRs.

Assessment of Patient Satisfaction with Treatments for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study

Purpose: Patient satisfaction with treatment is associated with adherence to therapy. This study aimed to investigate the treatment satisfaction level of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and to explore the underlying factors associated with patient satisfaction. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in ambulatory patients at the Second Xiangya Hospital, Changsha, Hunan, between August 1, 2020, and May 31, 2021. The Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication version II (TSQM v. II) was used to assess the treatment satisfaction of patients. Multivariable regression analysis was used to determine the factors associated with treatment satisfaction. Results: 392 ambulatory patients with COPD first participated in the study, and 354 patients with are finally available. Median (IQR) score in effectiveness was 66.67(50.00, 66.67), in side effects was 100(100,100), in convenience was 66.67(66.67, 66.67), in global satisfaction was 66.67(50.00, 66.67).Compared with the unsatisfied group, the patients who were satisfied with the treatment had fewer acute exacerbations in the past year (0 vs 1,p＜0.001), lower CAT scores(10 vs 13, p＜0.001), lower CCQ scores(1.95 vs 2.24, p＜0.001), lower GOLD group classification(p＜0.001) and lower BODE index[3.00(1.00, 4.25) vs 3.00(2.00, 5.00), p=0.006]. Results indicate that different bronchodilator treatment didn't impact the satisfaction with treatment. The multivariable regression analysis showed that global satisfaction was associated positively with mMRC(β=2.814, p=0.027),while inversely with BMI(β=-0.542, p=0.014), FEV1%predicted(β=-0.135,P=0.024), CAT score(β=-0.342,p=0.033), BODE index(β=-2.057,p=0.023). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the patients’ satisfaction with treatments is not high in COPD. Different bronchodilator treatment didn't impact the satisfaction with treatment. Keywords: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, treatment satisfaction, TSQM v. II, bronchodilator

Client satisfaction to methadone maintenance treatment program in Myanmar

Background To tackle the long-standing opioid misuse problem, Myanmar introduced the methadone maintenance treatment (MMT) program in 2006, starting with 260 clients. Since then, the program has been expanded across different geographical sites in the country. This study was done in 2017 to explore the treatment satisfaction of the clients towards the MMT program. Method A total of 210 clients with a minimum of six-month treatment history enrolled in five MMT program sites across Myanmar were recruited through stratified random sampling. Administering the Verona Service Satisfaction Scale for Methadone-Treatment (VSSS-MT), this study assessed the satisfactory responses under three categories viz., 1) clinic staff professional skills; 2) basic drug intervention; 3) specific intervention (individual rehabilitation and psychotherapy). Results The majority (89%, n = 186) of the respondents were satisfied with the current MMT program. Specifically, 89.5% (n = 187) were satisfied with the clinic staff professional skills category, 91.9% (n = 192) with the basic program intervention and 74.6% (n = 156) with specific interventions. Among the respondents, treatment satisfaction with the MMT program was higher (p < 0.05) in those (i) with a higher quality of life score in physical, psychological, social and environmental categories, ii) who were satisfied with their current marital and leisure status, and those iii) who consumed alcohol. Results from stepwise binary logistic regression showed alcohol consumption and physical health status had a significant association with MMT treatment satisfaction. Conclusion Treatment satisfaction of the clients, in general is high. However, the lower percentage of satisfied clients (74.6%) for the specific interventions category compared with 89.5 and 91.9% respectively for staff and basic drug management categories highlights the need for improvement in this category for overall enhancement of the MMT program.

The Impact of Digital Media on Mandala Making in Art Therapy in the Treatment of Anxiety

In the United States, the usage of electronic media has become ubiquitous. However, the field of art therapy still lags behind in this respect, and it has failed to embrace the use of technology in clinical practice. There exists some evidence that art therapists resist the use of technology in practice because there is little substantiation that digital media is as effective as conventional media in the treatment of mental health issues. Hence, the present study examined if a switch from conventional to digital media impacted the dependent variables (i.e., anxiety, client treatment satisfaction). The experimental design employed was an ABAB reversal design. Results did not indicate this switch had any effect.

The Impact of a Switch from Conventional Media to Digital Media in the Treatment of Vicarious Trauma During Art Therapy

In the United States, the use of digital media has become omnipresent and has changed how people communicate, conduct business, and create art and music. However, art therapy lags behind the current culture of prolific use of digital media. To date, there is very little experimental research on the use of digital media in the field of art therapy. The deficiency of evidence that digital media is as effective as conventional media is an obstacle to a full embrace and adoption of technology in practice by the field. The present study was designed to address this lack of evidence. Specifically, this study examined the impact of a switch from conventional to digital media in a mandala-based art therapy upon three dependent variables of interest. These variables were anxiety, vicarious traumatization, and client treatment satisfaction. An ABAB reversal design was used. Results suggested that such a switch had no impact.