Validation of the HIV treatment satisfaction questionnaire (HIVTSQ)

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) therapies need to be both effective and acceptable. The 10-item HIV Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire (HIVTSQ) was validated amongst 150 HIV-1 sero-positive individuals, receiving one of two protease inhibitors as part of combined therapy in an open-label randomised trial. Scale and subscale scoring was determined psychometrically. It was hypothesised that satisfaction with control would be greater amongst those with lower viral loads, satisfaction with side-effects would be inversely related to severity of adverse events and satisfaction with the new treatment would be greater than with the control treatment. Principal components analyses suggested that patient ratings of nine items can be summed to compute the total satisfaction scale (Cronbach's alpha 0.82), and/or divided into subscales: general satisfaction/clinical (alpha 0.80) and lifestyle/ease (alpha 0.74). One item (asking how demanding the treatment was) needs modification before inclusion. The HIVTSQ showed construct validity: viral load correlated negatively (Spearman's r - 0.33 p <0.01) with satisfaction with HIV control; those with