Assessing Differential Adherence to Medications and Quality of Life Among People Living With HIV and Comorbidities

The investigators propose to utilize quantitative and qualitative methodology to better understand the impact of multiple drug use (polypharmacy) on medication adherence as well as the driving forces behind differential adherence in people living with HIV (PLWH) with comorbidities. Since the clinical relevance of differential adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) medication has already been demonstrated and associated with virologic failure and a more rapid progression to AIDS and death, it is imperative to understand the driving forces behind differential adherence (selective drug taking) and its impact on treatment outcomes in PLWH with comorbidities. To this end, the investigators propose utilizing self-report adherence data and abstracted medical record data including pharmacy refills to assess medication adherence among PLWH with comorbidities. The information gained regarding patients' clinical outcomes as well as patients' reported treatment adherence, quality of life, beliefs about medications, and treatment satisfaction will provide the investigators with a comprehensive picture of what constitutes successful HIV treatment among those PLWH managing multiple medications. This is particularly important as non-successful treatment may result in low patient satisfaction, breach of patient-provider trust and reduced medication adherence.