Addressing Barriers to Anti-hypertensive Medication Adherence Among PLWH Who Have Achieved Viral Suppression

Launched by DUKE UNIVERSITY · Jul 13, 2022

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

This clinical trial is studying how to help people living with HIV (PWH) who have high blood pressure (hypertension) stick to their blood pressure medications. Many PWH are at a higher risk for heart problems, but some struggle to take their medications as prescribed, which can lead to poor blood pressure control. The researchers aim to understand what barriers people face in taking their medications and how to create a program that can help them better adhere to their treatment. By focusing on individuals who have achieved viral suppression (meaning their HIV is under control), the study hopes to improve their overall health and reduce the risk of heart disease.

To participate in this trial, you need to be at least 18 years old, have a confirmed HIV diagnosis, and be taking medication for high blood pressure. You should also be receiving care at the Duke HIV clinic and have an undetectable HIV viral load. If you join the study, you can expect to share your experiences and insights, which will help shape a new program aimed at improving medication adherence for others in similar situations. The trial is currently recruiting participants, and your involvement could make a difference not just for yourself, but for many others living with HIV and hypertension.

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • Aims 1A and 1B
• • Age ≥18 years
• • Confirmed HIV+ diagnosis
• • Undetectable HIV viral load: defined as the most recent HIV viral load \<200 copies/mL checked within the past year (assessed via chart abstraction)
• • Hypertension diagnosis in medical records
• • Taking an antihypertensive medication
• • Receiving care at the Duke HIV clinic
• • Aim 2
• • HIV providers including infectious disease physicians, internists or advance practice practitioners who have a patient pool of PLWH under their care in the last 6 months.
• • Aim 3A
• • Stakeholders composed of willing participants recruited from the Duke ID clinic and may include, HIV providers, clinic directors, nurses, pharmacists, social workers, people living with HIV who have hypertension and take antihypertensive medications, and representatives of the community advisory boards, and any other key stakeholders.
• • Aim 3 B
• • Age ≥18 years
• • Confirmed HIV+ diagnosis
• • Receiving care at the Duke ID clinic
• • Achievement of HIV suppression defined as having HIV-1 RNA \<200 copies/ml
• • Take antihypertensive medications
• • Uncontrolled BP over a 12 months period defined by participants with systolic BP\>130mmHg on ≥ 2 occasions in the past 12 months as indicated in the individual patient's electronic medical records
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Aims 1A, 1B and 3B
• • Severely hearing or speech impaired, or other disability that would limit participation in the intervention components
• • In a nursing home and/or receiving in-patient psychiatric care
• • Terminal illness with life expectancy \< 4 months
• • No reliable access to a telephone
• • Pregnant, breast-feeding, or planning a pregnancy during the study period
• • Planning to move out of the area in the next 6 months
• • Non-English speaking.