Cannabis use and HIV antiretroviral therapy adherence and HIV-related symptoms

Abstract

Occasional cannabis use has been associated with increased antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and relief of HIV symptoms, while heavy use has been associated with low ART adherence and negative psychological symptoms. The purpose of the present study was to investigate differences between non-cannabis use (NC), nondependent cannabis use (C), and dependent use (CD) in terms of ART adherence and HIV symptoms/ART side effects. A cross-sectional sample of 180 HIV+ individuals (78.3 % male) completed measures of substance use and psychopathology, medication adherence, and HIV symptoms/ART side effects. Adherence was also measured via pill count, viral load, and CD4 count. Results indicated that the CD group reported lower adherence and greater HIV symptoms/ART side effects than the other two groups, with no differences observed between NC and C groups. There is a clinical need to address dependent cannabis use among those prescribed ART. Further examination is needed to ascertain the functions of cannabis use among individuals with HIV.

Examining Associations Between Cognitive-Affective Vulnerability and HIV Symptom Severity, Perceived Barriers to Treatment Adherence, and Viral Load Among HIV-Positive Adults

“…Finally, we sought to examine these vulnerabilities in terms of log-transformed viral load, an objective index of HIV symptom expression; given a dearth of research linking cognitive-affective vulnerabilities to objective indices of physical symptoms in HIV+ individuals, these analyses were exploratory in nature. Hypothesized associations were expected above and beyond the effects of substance use and demographic factors that have not only been shown to be associated with the studied outcomes in prior work [39], but that also demonstrated associations in the present sample.…”

“…The current investigation is a secondary analysis of a larger study [39] examining the relation between cannabis use and HIV medication adherence. For inclusion in the study, participants had to be (1) at least 18 years old; (2) HIV+; (3) currently prescribed at least one antiretroviral medication, and (4) undergoing treatment at an outpatient HIV treatment clinic.…”

Differential Associations Between Perceived and Objective Measurement of Distress Tolerance in Relation to Antiretroviral Treatment Adherence and Response Among HIV-Positive Individuals

“…However, research indicates other potential pathways that might help explain the association between MTPT-C task persistence and viral load, such as problematic substance use. Indeed, substance dependence has been closely linked to both persistence on the MTPT-C , as well as higher viral load (e.g., Bonn-Miller et al, 2012). Though the present cross-sectional data do not allow for the examination of these hypothesized temporal associations, future work would benefit from the prospective examination of substance dependence as a potential mediator of the association between distress intolerance, as indexed by the MTPT-C, and heightened viral load.…”

“…Method participants Data were collected as part of a larger crosssectional study of 180 individuals with HIV (Bonn-Miller, Oser, Bucossi, & Trafton, 2012). To be included in this study, participants had to be (a) HIV positive, (b) currently prescribed at least one ART medication, and (c) undergoing treatment at an HIV outpatient clinic.…”

Problematic Alcohol Use Among Individuals with HIV: Relations with Everyday Memory Functioning and HIV Symptom Severity

“…Participants were 172 HIV-infected individuals drawn from a larger study of cannabis use and HIV [58]. Participants were recruited via flyers placed throughout VA medical centers and community outpatient HIV clinics in the San Francisco Bay area.…”