Methamphetamine Use and HIV Drug Resistance
Author Information
Author(s): Cachay Edward R, Moini Niousha, Kosakovsky Pond Sergei L, Pesano Rick, Lie Yolanda S, Aiem Heidi, Butler David M, Letendre Scott, Mathews Wm. Christopher, Smith Davey M
Primary Institution: University of California, San Diego
Hypothesis
Active methamphetamine users who are newly diagnosed with an HIV infection of unknown duration and ARV naive would have higher rates of HIV TDR than their non-methamphetamine using counterparts.
Conclusion
Individuals reporting active methamphetamine use in the 30 days prior to HIV diagnosis are at an increased risk of having HIV strains that are resistant to NNRTI.
Supporting Evidence
- 98% of participants reported alcohol use, 71% marijuana use, and 64% methamphetamine use.
- 23% of participants had TDR to at least one class of ARV medication.
- Frequent methamphetamine use was strongly associated with TDR to NNRTI (OR=6.6).
- Participants were ARV naïve and diagnosed within three months prior to enrollment.
Takeaway
People who use methamphetamine before finding out they have HIV are more likely to have a type of HIV that doesn't respond to certain medications.
Methodology
Cross-sectional analysis with structured interviews and genotypic resistance testing.
Potential Biases
Sample size may not have been large enough to detect associations with other drug resistances.
Limitations
Not knowing the duration of infection could lead to underestimation of TDR prevalence.
Participant Demographics
Majority were men (112 men, 3 women), median age 32 years, 50% non-white, and 89% MSM.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.002
Confidence Interval
1.9 – 22.2
Statistical Significance
p=0.002
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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