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Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study

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  • Anees Bahji

    (Department of Psychiatry, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
    Department of Community Health Sciences, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB T2N 4N1, Canada
    British Columbia Centre on Substance Use, Vancouver, BC V6Z 2A9, Canada
    Research in Addiction Medicine Scholars Program, Boston University Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Yu Li

    (Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

  • Rachel Vickers-Smith

    (Department of Epidemiology, University of Kentucky College of Public Health, Lexington, KY 40536, USA)

  • Stephen Crystal

    (Center for Health Services Research, Institute for Health, Rutgers University, Rutgers, NJ 08901, USA)

  • Robert D. Kerns

    (Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06511, USA
    VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA)

  • Kirsha S. Gordon

    (VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
    Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA)

  • Alexandria Macmadu

    (Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

  • Melissa Skanderson

    (VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA)

  • Kaku So-Armah

    (Clinical Addiction Research & Education (CARE) Unit, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston, MA 02118, USA)

  • Minhee L. Sung

    (VA Connecticut Healthcare System, West Haven, CT 06516, USA
    Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA)

  • Fiona Bhondoekhan

    (Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

  • Brandon D. L. Marshall

    (Department of Epidemiology, Brown University School of Public Health, Providence, RI 02912, USA)

  • E. Jennifer Edelman

    (Department of Internal Medicine, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
    Center for Interdisciplinary Research on AIDS, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06511, USA)

Abstract

Background: The association between cannabis use and HIV-1 RNA (viral load) among people with HIV (PWH) engaged in care is unclear. Methods: We used data collected from 2002 to 2018 on PWH receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) enrolled in the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. Generalized estimating equations were used to estimate associations between self-reported past-year cannabis use and detectable viral load (≥500 copies/mL), with and without adjustment for demographics, other substance use, and adherence. Results: Among 2515 participants, 97% were male, 66% were Black, the mean age was 50 years, and 33% had detectable HIV viral load at the first study visit. In unadjusted analyses, PWH with any past-year cannabis use had 21% higher odds of a detectable viral load than those with no past-year use (OR = 1.21; 95% CI, 1.07–1.37). However, there was no significant association between cannabis use and viral load after adjustment. Conclusions: Among PWH engaged in care and receiving ART, cannabis use is associated with decreased adherence in unadjusted analyses but does not appear to directly impact viral control. Future studies are needed to understand other potential risks and benefits of cannabis use among PWH.

Suggested Citation

  • Anees Bahji & Yu Li & Rachel Vickers-Smith & Stephen Crystal & Robert D. Kerns & Kirsha S. Gordon & Alexandria Macmadu & Melissa Skanderson & Kaku So-Armah & Minhee L. Sung & Fiona Bhondoekhan & Brand, 2022. "Self-Reported Cannabis Use and HIV Viral Control among Patients with HIV Engaged in Care: Results from a National Cohort Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-15, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5649-:d:809596
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Keywords

    cannabis; HIV; viral load; adherence;
    All these keywords.

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