Injection drug use and HIV antiretroviral therapy discontinuation in a Canadian setting

AIDS Behav. 2013 Jan;17(1):68-73. doi: 10.1007/s10461-012-0136-y.

Abstract

We investigated whether drug-related behaviors predicted antiretroviral therapy (ART) discontinuation among a cohort of injection drug users (IDU) in a Canadian setting. Cox regression analyses were used to investigate the impact of drug use patterns on rates of ART discontinuation among a sample of HIV-positive IDU in Vancouver, Canada between May 1996 and April 2008. In total, 408 HIV-positive IDU initiated ART during the study period, among whom 257 (63.0%) discontinued ART at least once. Rates of ART discontinuation were not significantly elevated among those who reported ongoing injection of heroin, cocaine, or other illicit drugs in comparison to those who reported not injecting drugs. However, public drug use was significantly predictive of ART discontinuation. Our findings may contribute to a reconsideration of the role of active drug use in determining retention in ART programs among IDU.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / administration & dosage*
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active
  • Assessment of Medication Adherence*
  • CD4 Lymphocyte Count
  • Canada
  • Drug Users / psychology*
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • HIV Infections / complications
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proportional Hazards Models
  • Regression Analysis
  • Retention, Psychology
  • Risk Factors
  • Self Report
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / complications
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / epidemiology
  • Substance Abuse, Intravenous / psychology*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents