Validation of the HIV treatment satisfaction questionnaire (HIVTSQ)

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapies need to be both effective and acceptable. The 10-item HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIVTSQ) w as validated amongst 150 HIV-1 sero-positive individuals, receiving one of two protease inhibitors as part of combined therapy in an open-label random ised trial. Scale and subscale scoring was determined psychometrically. It was hypothesised that satisfaction with control would be greater amongst th ose with lower viral loads, satisfaction with side-effects would be inverse ly related to severity of adverse events and satisfaction with the new trea tment would be greater than with the control treatment. Principal component s analyses suggested that patient ratings of nine items can be summed to co mpute the total satisfaction scale (Cronbach's alpha 0.82), and/or divided into subscales: general satisfaction/clinical (alpha 0.80) and lifestyle/ea se (alpha 0.74). One item (asking how demanding the treatment was) needs mo dification before inclusion. The HIVTSQ showed construct validity: viral lo ad correlated negatively (Spearman's r - 0.33 p < 0.01) with satisfaction w ith HIV control; those with < 400 copies HIV-1 RNA/ml were more satisfied w ith HIV control than those with higher viral loads (Mann-Whitney p < 0.01); adverse event grade correlated r - 0.18 (p < 0.05) with satisfaction with side-effects. The HIVTSQ was sensitive to differences between groups: compa red with patients in the control group, those receiving the new treatment h ad significantly higher perceived flexibility and lifestyle/ease scores at week 8 (Mann-Whitney p < 0.01). Patient perceptions did not simply mirror c linical measures, highlighting the importance of measuring patient views.