The case of adherence in the youth: Rebel without a cause?

摘要

Most published meta-analyses are devoted to establishing the effects of interventions. However, meta-analysis methods can also be useful to get a more precise estimate of a global condition's frequency, such as prevalence proportions. The focus of a systematic review provides material for data-synthesis, explores heterogeneity and finally paves the way for a research grant to tackle the problem, eventually in particularly vulnerable subgroups. In this issue of AIDS, Kim et al. reported the rates of adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) worldwide among persons with a median age that falls within 12 and 24 years old [1]. Factors influencing adherence can be divided into three major categories: patient factors, medication factors and factors related to the system of care. In each of these areas, there may be numerous barriers depending on the specific population and on the unique life situations of the individual.