Electronic monitoring caps are widely considered the best available method of measuring adherence, and several ongoing studies of HIV adherence interventions are utilizing this methodology as the primary outcome measure. Electronic monitoring may not only measure adherence, but may also change pill taking behavior by increasing the patient's conscious awareness of their medication regimen and their desire to be seen as good patients, making it difficult to assess the extent to which the observed effect size can be attributed to the intervention versus electronic monitoring. To address this question, 182 patients on HAART were randomized to one of three adherence surveillance methods (electronic monitoring caps, patient medication diaries, no surveillance control group) for four weeks, with the criterion measure of adherence assessed by a structured interview at baseline and study endpoint. The mean adherence rate for the whole sample at baseline as measured by the structured interview was 92.6 (SD=14.1), with similar rates across the three subgroups (baseline mean for the electronic monitoring subgroup was 91.9). Similarly, a univariate analyses of adherence at study endpoint revealed no significant differences across groups (F[2,170]=0.50, p=0.61), with mean adherence rates of 92.0, 92.4, and 94.8 for the electronic monitoring, patient diaries, and control group, respectively. These results suggest that electronic monitoring caps do not alter adherence and can be used as outcomes measures of interventions without the need to adjust the observed effect size.
Learning Objectives: N/A
Keywords: HIV/AIDS, Treatment Adherence
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.