141st APHA Annual Meeting

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283143
Comparisons of disease burden, physical function and quality of life between HIV patients that report recent marijuana use and those who do not

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 : 4:45 PM - 5:00 PM

Amanda Allshouse, MS , Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado Denver, Aurora, CO
Thomas Campbell, PhD , Sch of Med - Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Sam MaWhinney, ScD , School of Public Health Department of Biostatistics and Informatics, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Kristine Erlandson, MD , Sch of Med - Infectious Diseases, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Wendy Kohrt, PhD , Sch of Med - Geriatric Medicine, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
Catherine Jankowski, PhD , College of Nursing, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO
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.

Learning Areas:
Epidemiology
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Compare HIV patients who self-select to use Marijuana in Colorado, where medical marijuana is legal, to those who do not.

Keywords: Marijuana, HIV/AIDS

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: As a biostatistician, I have collaborated on a wide range of studies related to HIV, and have worked closely with the data from this cohort for over three years.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.

Back to: 4401.0: HIV and substance use