Factors Related to Hair Antiretroviral Concentration: A Systematic Review of Global Literature
March 2020
in “
Aids Reviews
”
TLDR Hair antiretroviral concentration is affected by hair type, segment position, housing, drug use, sexual behavior, kidney function, and genetics.
This systematic review examined 25 studies to identify factors affecting hair antiretroviral concentration (HAC), a non-invasive method for assessing long-term antiretroviral (ARV) adherence. The review found that HAC was influenced by hair types, hair segment position, housing, illegal drug use, high-risk sexual behaviors, renal function, and genetic factors. However, HAC was not associated with race/ethnicity, sample location, ARV side effects, treatment length, smoking, alcohol use, orange consumption, depression, or anthropometric characteristics. The relationships of HAC with natural hair color, hair treatment, age, sex, dosing schedule, and liver function required further investigation. These findings aimed to guide future HIV treatment and prevention research using HAC as a biomarker for ARV adherence.
