Cannabis Use as a Protective Factor Against Overweight in HIV-Hepatitis C Virus Co-Infected People (ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH Cohort)

Abstract

Overweight is increasingly prevalent in people living with HIV (PLWH), and is a high risk factor for metabolic disorders in this population. PLWH co-infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) have a higher risk of metabolic disorders than their mono-infected counterparts. The putative relationship between cannabis use and body weight found in the general population has never been documented in HIV-HCV co-infected people. We tested whether cannabis use is associated with body mass index (BMI), overweight, and underweight in HCV co-infected PLWH (N = 992). Mixed-effects linear and logistic regression models were used to study the association between cannabis use and the three outcomes over time. After multivariable adjustment, cannabis use was inversely associated with BMI. Cannabis use was associated with a lower and higher risk of overweight and underweight, respectively. Cannabis use should be assessed and taken into account in the clinical management of the HIV-HCV co-infected population.

Nutritional and Lifestyle Therapy for NAFLD in People with HIV

“…A few studies have investigated the role of cannabinoids in the liver's health among PWH, with mixed results. The investigators of the ANRS CO13 HEPAVIH cohort demonstrated that, in the setting of HIV/HCV coinfection, daily cannabis use was negatively associated with being overweight [128], insulin resistance [129], and fatty liver, diagnosed by abdominal ultrasound [112] or the fatty liver index [113]. Oppositely, in 248 Russian PWH with heavy alcohol consumption, who were mostly male (72.6%), young (median age of 33.9 years), and coinfected with HCV (87.9%), Fuster et al did not report any association between cannabis use and advanced liver fibrosis (detected by FIB-4, aminotransferase-to-platelet ratio (APRI), or transient elastography) [114].…”