Date Published:
2017 Aug

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

E.W. Paolillo
A. Gongvatana
A. Umlauf
S.L. Letendre
D.J. Moore

Secondary:
Alcohol Clin Exp Res

Volume:
41

Pagination:
1518-1525

Issue:
8

PMID:
28679147

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28679147

DOI:
10.1111/acer.13433

Keywords:
Adult;Aged;Alcohol Drinking;Alcoholism;Anti-Retroviral Agents;Cohort Studies;Female;HIV Infections;Humans;Internal;Male;Medication Adherence;Middle Aged;Treatment Outcome;Young Adult

Abstract:
<p>BACKGROUND: Alcohol use is a risk factor for nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA); however, differences in ART adherence across levels of alcohol use are unclear. This study examined whether "at-risk" alcohol use, defined by National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism guidelines, was associated with ART nonadherence among PLWHA.METHODS: Participants were 535 HIV-infected adults enrolled in studies at the HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program. ART nonadherence was identified by either self-reported missed dose or plasma viral load detectability (≥50 copies/ml). Potential covariates for multivariable logistic regression included demographics, depression, and substance use disorders.RESULTS: Using a stepwise model selection procedure, we found that at-risk alcohol use (OR = 0.64; p = 0.032) and low education (OR = 1.09 per 1 year increase in education; p = 0.009) significantly predict lower ART adherence.CONCLUSIONS: A greater focus on the treatment of at-risk alcohol use may improve ART adherence among HIV-infected persons.</p>