Alcohol Use and Progression of HIV Disease

Among HIV-infected patients who had a history of alcohol dependence and were not receiving ART, current heavy drinking was associated with lower CD4-cell counts than was abstinence.

Alcohol use is prevalent among HIV-infected patients, but little is known about how it affects HIV disease progression. To address this gap, Boston researchers conducted a prospective study among 595 HIV-infected adults (75% male; 66% nonwhite), all of whom had a history of alcohol-related problems. Recent alcohol use (during the past 30 days), CD4-cell count, and viral load were assessed every 6 months for up to 7 years. The median number of assessments per participant was 9.

At baseline, about one quarter of study participants had been intermittently homeless, and about one half had a history of injection drug use. Sixty percent of participants reported no recent alcohol use, 10% reported recent moderate use, and 30% reported recent heavy …

Reviewing Author

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Keith Henry, MD

Disclosures

Consultant/Advisory BoardViiV Advisory Board

Editorial BoardsJAIDS: Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes

Alcohol Use and Progression of HIV Disease

Topics

Reviewing Author