ATLIS survey shows concern over ART side effects

Results from the USA's Merck and Co sponsored ATLIS survey, which polled nearly 3,000 HIV-positive patients from 18 countries, show that an alarming number of people living with HIV and AIDS in the USA discontinue or switch treatment regimens due to concerns about side effects that may prevent patients from recognizing the value of antiretroviral therapy.

Side effects were the most frequent reason (37.5%) US respondents indicated they chose to discontinue treatment. Additionally, 27.3% of respondents reported that they had elected not to seek treatment because they believe that ART causes too many side effects. Further, respondents indicated that the most common reason for changing the ARV drugs in their treatment regimens was due to side effects (55.4%). Compared to all respondents, those in the USA voiced substantially more concern over many potential side effects (p<0.05).

ATLIS findings also reveal that people living with the disease in the USA still live in fear of societal stigma and discrimination. Approximately half of survey respondents (49.5%) are "very" or "somewhat" concerned about others knowing their HIV status, with 83.7% of those claiming this is predominantly due to concern about social discrimination and stigma. With regard to disclosing their status, respondents are also concerned about the impact on their ability to establish future relationships (50.0%). US respondents are most concerned globally that their HIV-positive status could be damaging to their reputation.