The impact of illicit drug use and substance abuse treatment on adherence to HAART

Integrated opioid use disorder and HIV treatment: rationale, clinical guidelines for addiction treatment, and review of interactions of antiretroviral agents and opioid agonist therapies

Injection drug use (IDU) is an important vector of HIV infection in the United States. Many patients with HIV infection have comorbid substance use disorders. Integrated treatment for HIV and substance use disorders has been shown to improve HIV and other health outcomes, but significant barriers to integrated treatment exist. For individuals who are dependent on injection opioid drugs, agonist therapies of methadone or buprenorphine maintenance are available as part of a treatment program. Patients who are infected with HIV and require antiretroviral therapy (ART) are at risk for drug-drug interaction between ART and methadone or buprenorphine. We present a programmatic approach to the evaluation and treatment of opioid use disorders for HIV care providers, as well as a summary of the available knowledge of interactions of methadone and buprenorphine with ART, along with the level of evidence for each actual or potential interaction. Based on the available information of practice and the level of clinical significance of drug-drug interactions, we conclude that buprenorphine-based maintenance treatment for opioid dependent patients is the preferred maintenance therapy for integrated treatment systems.

An evidence-based review of treatment-related determinants of patients' nonadherence to HIV medications

Patients' adherence to antiretroviral medications is a primary determinant of both the effectiveness of treatment and the clinical course of HIV/AIDS. This empirical review is intended to compare the relative importance of patient and treatment characteristics on nonadherence behavior and the impact of nonadherence on treatment failure. Articles cited in PubMed and published between 2006 and June 2008 (n = 200) were reviewed to select those that address patient or treatment characteristics associated with nonadherence. Twenty-two articles were selected that provided odds ratio or hazard ratio statistics that quantified predictors of patients' level of nonadherence (e.g., <80%, 80%-95% and >95%). Results were summarized using random effects meta-analytic models. Predictors of nonadherence were divided into four predictive clusters (clinical predictors, comorbid predictors, treatment competence predictors, and dosing predictors). The summary odds ratios (ORs) of nonadherence for each cluster (in order of strength) were treatment competence 2.0 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.6-2.6), clinical predictors 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4-1.8), comorbid predictors 1.6 (95% CI: 1.4-1.8), and dosing predictors 1.5 (95% CI: 1.3-1.7). The effect of nonadherence on treatment failure supported the findings of two prior empirical reviews (OR 2.0, 95% CI: 1.6-2.5). Within dosing predictors, a pill burden of more versus less than 10 pills per day was associated with a much higher odds of nonadherence than twice versus once daily dosing or small differences in the number of types of antiretroviral treatments in a regimen. These results provide insight into the relative importance of various determinants of patient nonadherence that may inform the design of patient educational initiatives and initiatives to simplify treatment regimens.

Sociodemographic and clinical characteristics are not clinically useful predictors of refill adherence in patients with hypertension

BACKGROUND

Although many studies have identified patient characteristics or chronic diseases associated with medication adherence, the clinical utility of such predictors has rarely been assessed. We attempted to develop clinical prediction rules for adherence with antihypertensive medications in 2 healthcare delivery systems.

METHODS AND RESULTS

We performed retrospective cohort studies of hypertension registries in an inner-city healthcare delivery system (n=17 176) and a health maintenance organization (n=94 297) in Denver, Colo. Adherence was defined by acquisition of 80% or more of antihypertensive medications. A multivariable model in the inner-city system found that adherent patients (36.3% of the total) were more likely than nonadherent patients to be older, white, married, and acculturated in US society, to have diabetes or cerebrovascular disease, not to abuse alcohol or controlled substances, and to be prescribed fewer than 3 antihypertensive medications. Although statistically significant, all multivariate odds ratios were 1.7 or less, and the model did not accurately discriminate adherent from nonadherent patients (C statistic=0.606). In the health maintenance organization, where 72.1% of patients were adherent, significant but weak associations existed between adherence and older age, white race, the lack of alcohol abuse, and fewer antihypertensive medications. The multivariate model again failed to accurately discriminate adherent from nonadherent individuals (C statistic=0.576).

CONCLUSIONS

Although certain sociodemographic characteristics or clinical diagnoses are statistically associated with adherence to refills of antihypertensive medications, a combination of these characteristics is not sufficiently accurate to allow clinicians to predict whether their patients will be adherent with treatment.

Correlates of HIV-1 viral suppression in a cohort of HIV-positive drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy in Hanoi, Vietnam

Injection drug users bear the burden of HIV in Vietnam and are a focus of national treatment programmes. To date, determinants of successful therapy in this population are unknown. Substance use and clinical correlates of viral suppression were studied in 100 HIV-1-infected drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) for at least six months in Hanoi, Vietnam. The mean age of the cohort was 29.9 + 4.9 years; all were men. A majority of patients (73%) achieved viral suppression (HIV-RNA <1000 copies/mL). Correlates of viral suppression include self-reported > or = 95% adherence (P < 0.01) and current use of trimethoprim/sulphamethoxazole (P < 0.01); current or ever diagnosed with tuberculosis was associated with viral non-suppression (P = 0.006). Tobacco use was prevalent (84%), and surprisingly 48% of patients reported active drug use; neither was associated with viral non-suppression. This is the first study to document successful ART treatment in a population of Vietnamese drug users; rates of viral suppression are comparable to other international populations. The 28% of patients without HIV-1 suppression highlight the need for adherence promotion, risk reduction programmes, and population-based surveillance strategies for assessing the emergence of HIV drug resistance in settings where access to viral load and drug resistance testing is limited.

Substance use and sexual risk behaviors in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus-exposed youth: roles of caregivers, peers and HIV status

PURPOSE

To examine the association between sexual risk behaviors and substance use, as well as the impact of caregiver characteristics and perceived peer norms among perinatally HIV-exposed but uninfected and perinatally HIV-infected youth.

METHODS

Using baseline data from a multisite study of psychosocial behaviors in perinatally HIV-exposed urban youth (N = 340; 61% HIV+; 51% female; aged 9-16 years). We conducted interviews with youth-caregiver dyads. Using hierarchical logistic regression, we explored the association between lifetime sexual risk behaviors, cigarettes, alcohol, marijuana, other drug use, caregiver relationship characteristics and peer influence.

RESULTS

Cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana were significantly associated with HIV sexual risk behavior; no youth reported other drug use. After accounting for peer norms, the relationship between substance use and risky sexual behaviors was somewhat diminished. Irrespective of substance use, perception that more peers were involved in risky sex was associated with sexual risk behavior. Caregiver relationship characteristics had no effect on the association between substance use and risky sexual behavior. In all analyses, we found no effect across HIV status.

CONCLUSIONS

Regardless of HIV status, perinatally exposed youth who use substances are more likely to engage in sexual risk behaviors. Although the current study shows that peer influence on risky sexual behavior is more robust, caregivers are still important. The pediatric and adolescent HIV community must develop multilevel prevention initiatives that target youth, their peers, and their families.

HIV women's health: a study of gynecological healthcare service utilization in a U.S. urban clinic population

BACKGROUND

Women infected with HIV have a high rate of many gynecological problems. Adherence to recommended gynecological care among women enrolled in our urban HIV clinics was hypothesized to be low.

METHODS

We conducted an analysis of data from the Johns Hopkins HIV Clinical Cohort Database examining demographic and clinical predictors of clinic visit adherence by women in the HIV primary care and HIV gynecological clinics.

RESULTS

Between January 2002 and April 2006, 1,086 women had 26,401 scheduled appointments to the two clinics, of which 21,959 were to HIV primary care and 4,442 were to HIV gynecological care. There were 12,097 (55%) completed primary care visits and 1,609 (36.2%) completed HIV gynecological visits (p < 0.001, accounting for clustering). By multivariate analysis, age <40 years (OR 0.81, 95% CI 0.70-0.94) and substance abuse (OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.61-0.73) were associated with a decreased likelihood of attending an HIV primary care appointment. African American race (OR 0.63, 95% CI 0.45-0.90), CD4 count <200 cells/mm(3) (OR 0.73, 95% CI 0.56-0.95), and substance abuse (OR 0.57, 95% CI 0.45-0.71) were associated with a decreased likelihood of attending an HIV gynecological appointment.

CONCLUSIONS

This analysis determined that the rate of clinic visit adherence is significantly lower for HIV gynecological care than for HIV primary care in the same population of women. Factors associated with HIV gynecological clinic visit noncompliance included African American race/ethnicity, substance use, and more advanced immunosuppression. We have planned additional quantitative and qualitative studies to examine the associations with and barriers to HIV gynecological care, with the goal of creating appropriate interventions toward improving gynecological healthcare utilization among women enrolled in urban HIV clinics.

Use of outpatient mental health services and psychotropic medications among HIV-infected patients in a multisite, multistate study

OBJECTIVE

Although co-occurring psychiatric disorders are highly prevalent among those with HIV, little is known about the use of outpatient mental health services (MHS) and psychotropic medication in the highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era.

METHODS

During 2003, 951 patients were interviewed at 14 sites in the HIV Research Network. Patients were questioned about use of MHS and psychotropic medications. Logistic regression was used to identify socio-demographic and clinical factors associated with MHS and psychotropic medication utilization.

RESULTS

The sample characteristics were as follows: 68% male, 52% black, 14% Hispanic, median age 46 years (range 20-85), 69% were on HAART. Approximately 34% reported at least one MHS within 6 months and 37% reported use of psychotropic medication for a mental health condition. In multivariate logistic regression, MHS was greater among disabled patients [adjusted odds ratio 2.39 (95% CI 1.53-3.72)], current [2.26 (1.53-3.35)] and former drug users [1.84 (1.24-2.73)], and those with more than seven primary care visits in the past 6 months. Blacks [0.61 (0.41-0.92)] were significantly less likely to use MHS compared to whites. Similarly, usage of psychotropic medications was greater among disabled patients [1.79 (1.14-2.82)], women [1.66 (1.13-2.43)], )] and those with more than seven primary care visits. Blacks [0.37 (0.24-0.58])] and Hispanics [0.39 (0.22-0.72)] were less likely to use a psychotropic medication. HAART utilization was not associated with MHS or psychiatric medication use.

CONCLUSIONS

In the HAART era, self-reported rates of mental health service and psychotropic medication utilization are high. Blacks continue to report lower use of MHS and psychotropic medication compared to whites.

Impact of patient race on patient experiences of access and communication in HIV care

BACKGROUND

Patient-centered care--including the domains of access and communication--is an important determinant of positive clinical outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

To explore associations between race and HIV-infected patients' experiences of access and communication.

DESIGN

This was a cross-sectional survey.

PARTICIPANTS

Nine hundred and fifteen HIV-infected adults receiving care at 14 U.S. HIV clinics.

MEASUREMENTS

Dependent variables included patients' reports of travel time to their HIV care site and waiting time to see their HIV provider (access) and ratings of their HIV providers on always listening, explaining, showing respect, and spending enough time with them (communication). We used multivariate logistic regression to estimate associations between patient race and dependent variables, and random effects models to estimate site-level contributions.

RESULTS

Patients traveled a median 30 minutes (range 1-180) and waited a median 20 minutes (range 0-210) to see their provider. On average, blacks and Hispanics reported longer travel and wait times compared with whites. Adjusting for HIV care site attenuated this association. HIV care sites that provide services to a greater proportion of blacks and Hispanics may be more difficult to access for all patients. The majority of patients rated provider communication favorably. Compared to whites, blacks reported more positive experiences with provider communication.

CONCLUSIONS

We observed racial disparities in patients' experience of access to care but not in patient-provider communication. Disparities were explained by poor access at minority-serving clinics. Efforts to make care more patient-centered for minority HIV-infected patients should focus more on improving access to HIV care in minority communities than on improving cross-cultural patient-provider interactions.

Recreational amphetamine use and risk of HIV-related non-Hodgkin lymphoma

The results of many laboratory studies suggest that amphetamine use may lead to altered immune function and cytokine expression, both of which are implicated in HIV-related lymphomagenesis. We examined the hypothesis that use of amphetamines modifies risk of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) in HIV-infected men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. Data on amphetamine use were collected every six months during the follow-up period between 1984 and 2002. A total of 171 NHL cases were diagnosed from the 19,250 person-years accrued. Multivariable Cox models were used to estimate the effects of baseline exposures, time-varying recent exposures, and three years lagged exposures on risk of NHL adjusting for potential confounders such as demographics, use of other substances, and risky sexual behaviors. We found that weekly or more frequent use of amphetamines was associated with an increased risk of NHL, with hazard ratios of 1.75 (95% CI = 0.81-3.77) for use at baseline, 4.73 (1.41-15.81) for recent use, and 3.05 (1.19-7.82) for three years prior use. Similar associations were observed when we separately examined systemic NHL and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. Given these observations, the impact of amphetamines on lymphomagenesis among HIV-infected populations should be assessed more thoroughly.

Alcohol/Substance misuse and treatment nonadherence: fatal attraction

Alcohol and substance misuse have a variety of potential ramifications. In this edition of The Interface, we discuss studies that relate to alcohol/substance misuse and medical treatment nonadherence. Despite illness type, population characteristics, or adherence measures, studies are fairly consistent-alcohol and substance misuse reduce patient adherence with medical treatment.This ongoing column is dedicated to the challenging clinical interface between psychiatry and primary care-two fields that are inexorably linked.