Zunzunegui MV, Sanchez-Gonzalez J, Juarez MI, Castano MA, Gomez-Trujillo FM; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1992 Jul 19-24; 8: C338 (abstract no. PoC 4561).

CUSP, Madrid, Spain.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the association of drug injection with progression of HIV disease. METHODS: We used a nested case control design to study progression of HIV disease in a population of 3200 IVDU for whom the AIDS Unit of the Hospital Carlos Haya in Malaga is the primary source of health care. Currently 70% of the population is infected with HIV. Cases were defined as clinic attenders diagnosed with AIDS during 1989 or 1990. Two controls were selected for each case who were 1) infected with HIV and reported a history of drug injecting behavior, 2) attended the same clinic in the same period of time, 3) did not report homosexual behavior, and 4) had not developed AIDS at the time of the case diagnosis. Covariates were measured at the time of the first clinic visit for cases and controls. A logistic regression model was fitted to adjust for other risk factors or markers of HIV disease progression. RESULTS: 70% of cases and 35% of controls were injecting drugs at the time of study entry. Mean time since the first clinic visit to AIDS was 15.5 months. The following variables were independently associated with an increased risk of an AIDS diagnosis: active injection of drugs at the time of the first clinic visit (OR = 8.3, 95% CI 1.7, 25.3); age greater than 30 (OR = 6.5, 95% CI 2.2, 30.7); T4 count below 200 cells/ul (OR = 8.9, 95% CI 1.2, 65.2); IgA greater than 340 mg/dl (OR = 10.4, 95% CI 2.6, 41); and serum beta 2 microglobulin greater than 5 mg/l (OR = 7.3, 95% CI 1.6, 33). CONCLUSION: Continued injection of drugs is associated with an AIDS diagnosis independent of known markers, age, or previous IVDU history, HIV-infected IVDUs should have access to drug replacement therapy such as methadone, and other drug abuse treatments such as residence in therapeutic communities.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Disease Progression
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Methadone
• Risk Factors
• Spain
• Substance Abuse, Intravenous

Other ID:

• 92402268

UI: 102199982

From Meeting Abstracts