Comparisons of disease burden, physical function and quality of life between HIV patients that report recent marijuana use and those who do not

Background: Among treated HIV-infected persons, the impact of recent marijuana use (RMU) on successful aging, defined by low disease burden, high Quality Of Life (Qol) and physical function, is unknown.

Methods: Cross-sectional study of 45- to 65-year-old HIV-infected subjects in a Colorado hospital-based clinic, on anti-retroviral therapy >6 months, with a plasma HIV-1 RNA <48 copies/mL. Self-reported RMU, physical function assessment, QoL (SF-36), and HIV-specific disease burden were obtained. Means ±standard error or percentages are reported, as appropriate. Linear and logistic regressions allowed adjustment for current tobacco (CT) and chronic pain history (CPH).

Results: 81 of 359 total subjects (23%) reported RMU. Mean age (RMU: 52.1±0.56 vs. 52.0 ±0.31 years, p=0.8); CD4 (610±38 vs. 590±17 cells/µL, p=0.6); and time since diagnosis (15.8±0.79 vs. 14.3±0.45 years, p=0.12) were similar. CPH (67% vs. 75%, p=0.13) was similar, but CT (46% vs. 31%, p=0.015) was higher among RMU. Gender, race/ethnicity, physical outcomes, physical function and disease burden were not significantly different. The SF-36 Mental Component Summary measure was lower in RMU (46.9±0.69 vs. 42.9±1.46, p=0.008) with an adjusted difference of -3.2±1.5, p=0.03; although the Physical Component Summary was similar (adjusted difference: 0.601±0.20, p=0.62). RMU had increased odds of low social engagement (defined as SF-36 Social Functioning Domain <30) compared to non-users (adjusted OR=2.9 (1.52, 5.56) p=0.001). No other significant differences were identified.

Conclusions: The negative association between RMU and mental or social QoL should be considered when prescribing medical marijuana or assessing the success with which HIV patients reporting RMU are aging.