Beer L, et al. – Authors here aimed to assess the trends in treatment and health outcomes from 2009 to 2013 among HIV–positive young adults (aged 18–24 years) in care. Despite a suboptimal level of viral suppression among young adults in care, the observed increases in ART prescription and sustained viral suppression could be a cause for optimism regarding efforts to improve outcomes for this vulnerable population.

Methods

• Authors undertook the Medical Monitoring Project that was a complex sample survey of HIV–infected adults receiving medical care in the United States.
• Weighted interview and medical record data collected from June 2009 to May 2014 were used to estimate trends in the prevalence of ART prescription, adherence, side effects, single–tablet ART regimens, regular care utilization, and viral suppression among young adults.

Results

• From 2009 to 2013, significant increases were observed in ART prescription (76%–87%) and the proportion of young adults taking ART who reported taking single–tablet regimens (49%–62%).
• Findings revealed no significant change in adherence, side effects, or regular care utilization.
• Despite there appeared no change in viral suppression at last test (65% at both time periods), the proportion of young adults who were sustainably virally suppressed significantly increased (29%–46%).
• Accounting for ART prescription and single–tablet regimen use attenuated the sustained viral suppression trend.