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Objective To determine the proportion and characteristics of adults in primary care (PC) who screen positive for unhealthy substance use (SU) (alcohol and/or other drug) 1 year or more after screening negative. Methods Screening consisted of single-item questions for unhealthy use of alcohol and other drugs (illicit drugs and prescription medications). Health educators conducted in-person screening of patients presenting for a PC appointment. SU severity (low, moderate, high) was assessed with the Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test (ASSIST). Multivariate logistic regression models estimated predictors of a positive follow-up screen. Results Among 9215 patients who previously screened negative, 237 (2.6%) screened positive for unhealthy SU (42% alcohol only, 43% other drug only, 15% alcohol and other drug). The mean interval between screens was 19 months. Most alcohol use was low risk (ASSIST score ≤ 10) (81%), whereas most drug use was moderate risk (ASSIST score 4-26) (77%). Patients between ages of 18 to 25 had a higher proportion of positive follow-up screens (7.4% [33/443]) as well as those with a self-identified history of SU problems (9.4% [40/421]). Patients with a higher odds of a positive follow-up screen were male (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.64; 95% CI: 2.02-3.45), used tobacco (AOR 2.38; 95% CI: 1.75-3.23), had a longer interval between screenings (AOR 3.26; 95% CI: 1.84-5.75). Conclusions Screening for unhealthy SU 1 year or more after screening negative identified additional patients at-risk. These findings highlight the need to empirically determine the incremental benefits of screening all PC patients annually.

This study evaluated the association between impulsivity and linkage to HIV care among Russians living with HIV recruited from an inpatient narcology hospital. Linking Infectious and Narcology Care (LINC) study participants who completed the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale (BIS) were included in these analyses. The primary independent variable was impulsivity score which was categorized as high impulsivity (BIS score > 71) vs. low impulsivity (BIS score

Aims: This study aimed to analyze the association between any past-month cannabis use and advanced liver fibrosis. Background: Cannabinoid receptors play a role in acute and chronic liver injury, but human studies addressing the impact of cannabis use on liver fibrosis have shown mixed results. Objectives: The objective of this study was to explore and estimate the association between pastmonth cannabis use and advanced liver fibrosis (ALF) in a cohort of Russian HIV-positive individuals with heavy alcohol use and a high prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) coinfection. Methods: Baseline data were analyzed from participants of the ZINC study, a trial that enrolled HIV-positive Russian patients without prior antiretroviral therapy. Cannabis use during the prior month was assessed at study entry. ALF was defined as FIB-4>3.25 and APRI>1.5. Transient elastography was used to detect advanced liver fibrosis among participants with FIB-4 values in the intermediate range (between 1.45 and 3.25). Results: Participants (n=248) were mostly male (72.6%), young (median age of 33.9 years), infected with HCV (87.9%), and did not have advanced immunosuppression (median CD4 count 465). Cannabis use was uncommon (12.4%), and the prevalence of advanced liver disease was 21.7%. The prevalence of ALF was similar among those who used cannabis compared to those who did not (25.8% vs. 21.7%). We were unable to detect an association between cannabis use and ALF (adjusted odds ratio: 1.28, 95% confidence interval: 0.53-3.12, p=0.59) in logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, heavy drinking, BMI, and CD4 cell count. Conclusion: In this exploratory study among HIV-positive heavy drinking Russians, we did not detect an association between recent cannabis use and ALF. Larger scale studies, including more participants with cannabis use, are needed to examine this relationship further.

Urine drug testing (UDT) is a recommended risk mitigation strategy for patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain, but evidence that UDT supports identification of substance misuse is limited. Identify the prevalence of UDT results that may identify substance misuse, including diversion, among patients prescribed opioids for chronic pain. Retrospective cohort study. Patients (n=638) receiving opioids for chronic pain who had one or more UDTs, examining up to eight substances per sample, during a one 1-year period. Experts adjudicated the clinical concern that UDT results suggest substance misuse or diversion as not concerning, uncertain, or concerning. Of 638 patients, 48% were female and 49% were over age 55 years. Patients had a median of three UDTs during the intervention year. We identified 37% of patients (235/638) with ≥1 concerning UDT and a further 35% (222/638) having ≥1 uncertain UDT. We found concerning UDTs due to non-detection of a prescribed substance in 24% (156/638) of patients and detection of a non-prescribed substance in 23% (147/638). Compared to patients over 65 years, those aged 18–34 years were more likely to have concerning UDT results with an adjusted odds ratio (AOR) of 4.8 (95% confidence interval [CI] 1.9–12.5). Patients with mental health diagnoses (AOR 1.6 [95% CI 1.1–2.3]) and substance use diagnoses (AOR 2.3 [95% CI 1.5–3.7]) were more likely to have a concerning UDT result. Expert adjudication of UDT results identified clinical concern for substance misuse in 37% of patients receiving opioids for chronic pain. Further research is needed to determine if UDTs impact clinical practice or patient-related outcomes.

Cigarette smoking and risky alcohol consumption co-occur and are undertreated. Nicotine receptor partial agonists and nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) treat smoking but are unproven for alcohol, and clinical trials rarely include individuals with HIV, substance use, and mental health conditions.To compare the effects on drinking and smoking of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor partial agonists varenicline and cytisine with those of NRT.This 4-group randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted from July 2017 to December 2020 in St Petersburg, Russia. Included participants were 400 individuals with HIV who engaged in risky drinking (≥5 prior-month heavy-drinking days [HDDs]) and daily smoking; they were followed up for 12 months after enrollment. Data were analyzed from May 2021 through June 2022.Participants received alcohol and tobacco counseling, 1 active medication, and 1 placebo in 1 of 4 groups: active varenicline and placebo NRT (group 1), placebo varenicline and active NRT (group 2), active cytisine and placebo NRT (group 3), or placebo cytisine and active NRT (group 4).The primary outcome was number of prior-month HDDs at 3 months. Secondary outcomes included biochemically validated abstinence from alcohol at 3 months and smoking at 6 months.Among 400 participants (263 [65.8%] men; mean [SD] age, 39 [6] years), 97 individuals (24.3%) used opioids and 156 individuals (39.1%) had depressive symptoms. These individuals had a mean (SD) CD4 count of 391 (257) cells/mm3, smoked a mean (SD) of 21 [8] cigarettes/d, and reported a mean (SD) of 9.3 (5.8) HDDs in the prior 30 days. At 3 months, the mean (SD) number of HDDs was decreased vs baseline across all groups (group 1: 2.0 [3.8] HDDs vs. 9.5 [6.1] HDDs; group 2: 2.1 [4.3] HDDs vs 9.3 [5.7] HDDs; group 3: 1.5 [3.3] HDDs vs 8.9 [5.0] HDDs; group 4: 2.4 [5.2] HDDs vs 9.6 [6.3] HDDs). There were no significant differences at 3 months between groups in mean (SD) HDDs, including group 1 vs 2 (incident rate ratio [IRR], 0.94; 95% CI, 0.49-1.79), 3 vs 4 (IRR, 0.60; 95% CI, 0.30-1.18), and 1 vs 3 (IRR, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.65-2.55). There were no significant differences at 6 months between groups in smoking abstinence, including group 1 vs 2 (15 of 100 individuals [15.0%] vs 17 of 99 individuals [17.2%]; odds ratio [OR],0.89; 95% CI, 0.38-2.08), 3 vs 4 (19 of 100 individuals [19.0%] vs 19 of 101 individuals [18.8%]; OR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.46-2.17), and 1 vs 3 (OR, 0.79; 95% CI, 0.35-1.78). Post hoc analyses suggested lower mean (SD) HDDs (eg, at 3 months: 0.7 [1.8] HDDs vs 2.3 [4.6] HDDs) and higher alcohol abstinence (eg, at 3 months: 30 of 85 individuals [35.3%] vs 54 of 315 individuals [17.1%]) among those who quit vs continued smoking.This study found that among individuals with HIV who engaged in risky drinking and smoking, varenicline and cytisine were not more efficacious than NRT to treat risky drinking and smoking but that behavior change rates were high in all groups.ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT02797587.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Previous findings on the association between hazardous drinking and HIV-risk behavior have been equivocal, varying by population and individual difference factors. This study examined associations between hazardous drinking, impulsivity, and HIV-risk behaviors among HIV-positive Russian patients with a history of injection drug use (IDU), not on antiretroviral therapy. METHODS Negative binomial regression analyses of data from a randomized controlled trial were performed (N = 241). Main independent variables were the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test and the Barratt Impulsiveness Scale. Outcomes were number of condomless sexual episodes (CSE; primary), number of sexual partners, and needle-sharing frequency (secondary). RESULTS Hazardous drinking was positively associated with the frequency of CSE (adjusted incidence rate ratio [aIRR] = 2.16, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98-2.36). Moderate (aIRR = 0.51, 95% CI, 0.46-0.56) and high (aIRR = 0.66, 95% CI, 0.60-0.73) impulsivity were associated with fewer CSE compared with low impulsivity. Hazardous drinking (aIRR = 0.64, 95% CI, 0.52-0.79) and impulsivity (aIRR = 0.95, 95% CI, 0.94-0.96) were both associated with fewer sexual partners. Hazardous drinking and impulsivity were each associated with increased needle sharing. The association between hazardous drinking and number of needle-shares was strongest at higher impulsivity levels. CONCLUSION AND SCIENTIFIC SIGNIFICANCE Hazardous drinking may be a risk factor for CSE among HIV-positive Russian patients and may influence needle sharing. Findings contribute to our understanding of the interactive associations between hazardous drinking and impulsivity with sexual risk behaviors and needle sharing among HIV-positive Russian patients with a history of IDU. (Am J Addict 2020;00:00-00).

Background A health department survey revealed nearly half employ laboratory-based HIV and HCV testing (LBT) over rapid testing (RT) in nonhospital settings such as drug detoxification centers. LBT has higher sensitivity for acute HIV infection compared to RT but LBT is not point of care and may result in fewer diagnoses due to loss to follow-up before result delivery. Methods We conducted a randomized trial comparing real-world case notification of RT (Orasure) vs LBT (HIV Combo Ag/Ab EIA, HCV EIA) for HIV and HCV at a drug detoxification center. Primary outcome was receipt of test results within 2 weeks. Results Among 341 individuals screened (11/2016–7/2017), 200 met inclusion criteria; 58% injected drugs and 31% shared needles in the previous 6 months. Of the 200 randomized, 98 received RT and 102 LBT. Among all participants, 0.5% were positive for HIV and 48% for HCV; 96% received test results in the RT arm and 42% in the LBT arm (odds ratio, 28.72; 95% confidence interval, 10.27–80.31). Real-world case notification was 95% and 93% for HIV and HCV RT, respectively, compared to 42% for HIV and HCV LBT. Conclusions RT has higher real-world case notification than LBT at drug detoxification centers. Clinical trials registration: NCT02869776.

People living with HIV (PLWH) have high levels of functional impairment due to pain, also called pain interference. Long-term opioid therapy (LTOT) is commonly prescribed for chronic pain among PLWH. We sought to better understand the predictors of pain interference, measured with the Brief Pain Inventory Interference subscale (BPI-I), among PLWH with chronic pain on LTOT. Using a prospective cohort of PLWH on LTOT we developed a model to identify predictors of increased pain interference over 1 year of follow up. Participants (n=166) were 34% female, 72% African American with a median age of 55 years, and 40% had severe pain interference (BPI-I ≥7). In multivariable models, substance use disorder, depressive symptoms, PTSD symptoms, financial instability, and higher opioid doses were associated with increased pain interference. Measures of behavioral health and socioeconomic status had the most consistent association with pain interference. In contrast, the biomedical aspects of chronic pain and LTOT—comorbidities, duration of pain—were not predictive of pain interference. PLWH with chronic pain on LTOT with lower socioeconomic status and behavioral health symptoms have higher risk of pain interference. Addressing the social determinants of health and providing access to behavioral health services could improve patients’ pain-related functional status.

BACKGROUND: Liver fibrosis, is independently associated with incident heart failure (HF). Investigating the association between liver fibrosis and type of HF, specifically HF with reduced ejection fraction (EF; HFrEF) or HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), may provide mechanistic insight into this association. We sought to determine the association between liver fibrosis score (FIB-4) and type of HF, and to assess whether HIV or hepatitis C status modified this association. METHODS: We included patients alive on or after 4/1/2003 from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study. We followed patients without prevalent cardiovascular disease until their first HF event, death, last clinic visit, or 9/30/2015. We defined liver fibrosis as: likely advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 > 3.25), indeterminate (FIB-4 range 1.45–3.25), unlikely advanced fibrosis (FIB-4 < 1.45). Primary outcomes were HFrEF and HFpEF (defined using ICD-9 diagnoses for HF, and EF extracted from electronic medical records using natural language processing). Cox proportional hazards models were adjusted for potential confounders and used to estimate hazard ratios (HR). RESULTS: Among 108,708 predominantly male (96%) participants mean age was 49 years. Likely advanced fibrosis was present in 4% at baseline and was associated with an increased risk of HFpEF [HR (95% confidence interval)] [1.70 (1.3–2.3)]; and non-significantly with HFrEF [1.20 (0.9–1.7)]. These associations were not modified by HIV or hepatitis C status. CONCLUSION: Likely advanced fibrosis was independently associated with incident HFpEF but not HFrEF. This suggests that risk factors and/or mechanisms for liver fibrosis may have greater overlap with those for HFpEF than HFrEF.

INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Video directly observed therapy (video-DOT) through a mobile health platform may improve buprenorphine adherence and decrease diversion. This pilot study tested the acceptability and feasibility of using this technology among patients receiving buprenorphine in an office-based setting. METHODS: Participants were instructed to record videos of themselves taking buprenorphine. Data were collected from weekly in-person visits over a four-week period; assessments included self-report of medication adherence, substance use, satisfaction with treatment and use of the application, as well as urine drug testing. Open-ended questions at the final visit solicited feedback on patients’ experiences using the mobile health application. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 14 patients; a majority were male (86%) and White (79%). All participants except one (93%) were able to use the application successfully to upload videos. Among those who successfully used the application, the percentage of daily videos uploaded per participant ranged from 18 to 96%; on average, daily videos were submitted by participants 72% of the time. Most participants (10/14; 71%) reported being “very satisfied” with the application; of the remaining 4 participants, 2 were “satisfied” and 2 were “neutral.” Participants reported liking the accountability and structure the application provided and its ease of use. Negative feedback included minor discomfort at viewing one’s self during recording and the time required. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, use of a mobile health application for video-DOT of buprenorphine appears feasible and acceptable for patients who are treated in an office-based setting. Further research is needed to test whether use of such an application can improve treatment delivery and health outcomes.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate how an international one-year intensive research training program for addiction medicine physicians contributed to subsequent research involvement and productivity. METHODS: We prospectively compared addiction medicine physician fellows admitted to a one-year training program with non-admitted controls, using baseline questionnaire and peer-reviewed publication data. Participants’ publication activity was assessed from fellowship application date onwards using biomedical databases (e.g., PubMed, Embase). RESULTS: Between July 2014 and June 2020, which is six years of cohorts, 56 (39 women) physicians, both fellows (n = 25) and non-admitted applicants (n = 31), were observed and included in the study, contributing 261 person-years of observation. At baseline, in the fellows’ cohort: 76% of participants (19/25) reported past research involvement, 24% (6/25) had one or more advanced graduate degrees (e.g., MPH), and the median number of peer-reviewed, first author publications was one (Interquartile Range [IQR] = 0–2). At baseline, in the controls’ cohort: 84% of participants (26/31) reported past research involvement, 39% (12/31) had one or more advanced graduate degrees, and the median number of peer-reviewed, first author publications was zero. The physicians’ training included internal medicine (n = 8), family medicine (n = 33), psychiatry (n = 5) and others (n = 4). At follow up, there was a significant difference between fellows (n = 25) and controls (n = 31) in total number of publications (Rate Ratio [RR] = 13.09, 95% Confidence Interval [CI], 5.01 − 34.21, p < 0.001), as well as first author publications (RR = 5.59, 95% CI, 2.23 − 14.06, p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: In the six-year observation period, fellows’ productivity indicates undertaking this fellowship was associated with significant research outputs in comparison to controls, signaling successful training of addiction physicians to help recruit addiction medicine physicians to participate in addiction research.

BACKGROUND: HIV-positive people who inject drugs (PWID) are stigmatized and face more challenges in accessing ART. The natural course of stigma and its role on ART initiation in this population is unclear. We examined 1] whether HIV stigma changes over time and 2] whether HIV and substance use stigma are associated with ART initiation in a prospective cohort of HIV-positive PWID in St. Petersburg, Russia. METHODS: We used data from 165 HIV-positive PWID who were ART-naïve at enrollment andgeneralized estimating equations to assess changes in HIV stigma between baseline, 12- and 24-month study visits. Logistic regression estimated associations of HIV stigma and substance use stigma with ART initiation. All models were adjusted for gender, age, CD4 count, duration of HIV diagnosis, recent (past 30-day) drug use and depressive symptoms. RESULTS: Participants characteristics were the following: median age of 34 (Q1; Q3: 30; 37) years; 30% female; 28% with CD4 count

Hazardous alcohol use and psychological distress are common among persons living with HIV (PLWH). In Uganda, HIV prevalence is 6.2% with average pure alcohol consumption per capita of 9.8 liters. Social support may mitigate hazardous alcohol use. In a cohort of 443 PLWH, we measured social support using the Duke - UNC functional social support scale and self-reported alcohol consumption using the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption (AUDIT-C), augmented by phosphatidylethanol (PEth). We examined the association between low social support and hazardous alcohol use using multiple logistic regression models. 30% had low social support and 44% had hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT-C ≥3 for women and ≥4 for men and/or PEth ≥50 ng/mL). We did not detect an association between low social support and hazardous alcohol use. Social support may play no role or a minimal role in preventing PLWH from hazardous alcohol use.

Access to and uptake of evidence-based treatment for substance use disorder, specifically opioid use disorder (OUD), are limited despite the high death toll from drug overdose in the United States in recent years. Patient perceived barriers to evidence-based treatment after completion of short-term inpatient medically managed withdrawal programs (detox) have not been well studied. The purpose of the current study is to elicit patients' perspectives on challenges to transition to treatment, including medications for OUD (MOUD), after detox and potential solutions.We conducted semi-structured interviews (N = 24) at a detox center (2018-2019) to explore patients' perspectives on obstacles to treatment. The study managed the data in NVivo and we used content analysis to identify themes.Patients' characteristics included the following: 54 % male; mean age 37 years; self-identified as White 67 %, Black 13 %, Latinx 8 %, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 4 %, and other 8 %; heroin use in the past 3 months 67 %; and ever injecting drugs 71 %. Patients identified the following barriers: 1) lack of continuity of care; 2) limited number of detox and residential treatment program beds; 3) unstable housing; and 4) lack of options when choosing a treatment pathway. Solutions proposed by participants included: 1) increase low-barrier access to community MOUD; 2) add case managers at the detox center to establish continuity of care after discharge; 3) increase assistance with housing; and 4) encourage patient participation in treatment decisions.Patients identified lack of continuity of care, especially care coordination, as a major barrier to substance use treatment. Increasing treatment utilization, including MOUD, necessitates a multimodal approach to continuity of care, low-barrier access to MOUD, and support to address unstable housing. Patients want care that incorporates options and respect for. individualized preferences and needs.

Background We conducted a pilot study to assess feasibility of using video directly-observed therapy (DOT) for patients initiating buprenorphine to evaluate whether it is associated with better opioid use disorder (OUD) outcomes when compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU). Methods Pilot randomized controlled trial of adult patients with OUD initiating buprenorphine treatment (n = 78) at two sites (Seattle, WA and Boston, MA) from January 2019 to May 2020. Intervention was video DOT using a HIPAA-compliant smartphone application to record taking daily buprenorphine. Study smartphones, text reminders to upload a video, and calendar summaries of video DOT adherence were provided. Main outcomes were 1) percentage of 12 weekly urine drug tests (UDT) negative for illicit opioids and 2) engagement in treatment at week 12 (i.e., having an active prescription for buprenorphine within the last 7 days). Results Of 78 enrolled, 20 (26 %) were female; 29 (37 %) non-white; and 31 (40 %) homeless. The mean (standard deviation) percentage of doses confirmed by video was 31 % (34 %). In intention-to-treat analysis, the average percentage of weekly opioid negative UDT was 50 % (95 % CI: 40–63 %) in the intervention arm versus 64 % (95 % CI: 55–74 %) among controls; RR = 0.78 (95 % CI: 0.60–1.02, p = 0.07). Engagement at week 12 was 69 % (95 % CI: 56–86 %) v. 82 % (95 % CI: 71–95 %) in the intervention vs. TAU arms, respectively; RR = 0.84 (95 % CI: 0.65–1.10, p = 0.20). Conclusions The video DOT intervention did not result in improvements in illicit opioid use and treatment engagement compared to TAU. The study was limited by low rates of intervention use. Trial registration ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT03779997 , Registered on December 19, 2018.

Background Self-report is widely used to assess alcohol use in research and clinical practice, but may be subject to social desirability bias. We aimed to determine if social desirability impacts self-reported alcohol use. Methods Among 751 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients from a clinic in southwestern Uganda, we measured social desirability using the Marlowe-Crowne Social Desirability Scale (SDS) Short Form C, self-reported alcohol use (prior 3 months) Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test-Consumption (AUDIT-C), and phosphatidylethanol (PEth), a biomarker of prior 3 weeks' drinking. We conducted multiple regression analyses to assess the relationship between SDS score (low, medium, and high levels) and (i) any self-reported recent alcohol use, among those who were PEth-positive (≥8 ng/ml), and (ii) continuous AUDIT-C score, among those reporting any recent alcohol use. We controlled for PEth level, age, gender, education, economic assets, marital status, religion, spirituality/religiosity, social support, and study cohort. Results Of 751 participants, 59% were women; the median age was 31 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 26 to 39). Median SDS score was 9 (IQR: 4 to 10). Two-thirds (62%) self-reported any recent alcohol use; median AUDIT-C was 1 (IQR: 0 to 4). Among those who were PEth-positive (57%), 13% reported no recent alcohol use. Those with the highest SDS tertile had decreased odds of reporting any recent alcohol use compared to the lowest tertile, but the association did not reach statistical significance in multivariable analyses (adjusted odds ratio 0.55 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.25, 1.23]). Among participants self-reporting recent alcohol use, SDS level was negatively associated with AUDIT-C scores (adjusted β: -0.70 [95% CI: -1.19, -0.21] for medium vs. low SDS and -1.42 [95% CI: -2.05, -0.78] for high vs. low SDS). Conclusions While use of objective measures (e.g., alcohol biomarkers) is desirable for measuring alcohol use, SDS scores may be used to adjust self-reported drinking levels by participants' level of social desirability in HIV research studies.

BACKGROUND Medical marijuana is legal in 29 US states and the District of Columbia: both HIV and chronic pain are "approved conditions" for receipt. Chronic pain is common among people living with HIV (PLWH). We anticipate PLWH will question their providers about medical marijuana for chronic pain. We examined marijuana use and its associations with pain, opioid dose, and HIV viral suppression among PLWH receiving chronic opioid therapy. METHODS PLWH prescribed chronic opioid therapy were recruited into the Targeting Effective Analgesia in Clinics for HIV cohort. The main exposure variable was any past 12-month marijuana use. The primary outcomes were (1) opioid misuse (≥9 on the Current Opioid Misuse Measure) and (2) opioid dose (morphine equivalent daily dose). HIV viral load (VL) suppression (

Background Alcohol use is common among persons living with HIV (PLWH), who often experience chronic pain, yet its impact on pain and opioid misuse is not fully characterized. Methods We assessed associations between hazardous alcohol use and pain interference, defined as the self-reported impact of pain on daily living, pain severity, and risk for opioid misuse among PLWH who were on long-term opioid therapy (LTOT). A cohort was recruited as part of the “Targeting Effective Analgesia in Clinics for HIV” (TEACH) study, a randomized controlled trial to improve LTOT in HIV clinics. The Alcohol Use Disorders Test (AUDIT), Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) and the Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) were administered at both baseline and 12-months. Linear mixed and generalized estimating equation models, incorporating data from both time points, evaluated associations between hazardous alcohol use (AUDIT ≥8) and: pain interference (0–10), pain severity (0–10), and opioid misuse risk (COMM ≥13), adjusting for age, gender, depressive symptoms, use of non-alcohol substances, time-point, and study-arm. Results The sample was comprised of 166 participants, of which 31 (19%) reported hazardous alcohol use. The majority were male (65%), black (72%), and the mean age was 54 (range: 29–77). Hazardous alcohol use was significantly associated with higher pain interference (adjusted mean difference [AMD]: 1.02; 95% CI: 0.08, 1.96) and higher odds of opioid misuse risk (AOR: 3.73, 95% CI: 1.88–7.39), but not pain severity (AMD: 0.47, 95% CI: − 0.35, 1.29). Conclusions Hazardous alcohol use was associated with greater functional impairment in daily living from their pain and higher odds for prescription opioid misuse in this study of PLWH on LTOT. Providers should be attentive to alcohol use among PLWH who are prescribed opioids given associations with pain and opioid misuse. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.govNCT02564341 (Intervention, September 30, 2015) and NCT02525731 (Patient Cohort, August 17, 2015). Both prospectively registered.

Violence experience has been consistently associated with HIV risks and substance use behaviors. Although many studies have focused on intimate partner violence (IPV), the role of violence at a structural level (i.e., police abuse) remains relevant for people who inject drugs. This study evaluated the association of IPV and police-perpetrated violence experiences with HIV risk behaviors and substance use in a cohort of HIV-positive people who inject drugs in Ukraine. We also evaluated possible moderation effects of gender and socioeconomic status in the links between violence exposure and HIV risk and polysubstance use behaviors. Data came from the Providence/Boston-CFAR-Ukraine Study involving 191 HIV-positive people who inject drugs conducted at seven addiction treatment facilities in Ukraine. Results from logistic regressions suggest that people who inject drugs and experienced IPV had higher odds of polysubstance use than those who did not experience IPV. Verbal violence and sexual violence perpetrated by police were associated with increased odds of inconsistent condom use. The odds of engaging in polysubstance use were lower for women in relation to police physical abuse. We found no evidence supporting socioeconomic status moderations. Violence experiences were associated with substance use and sexual HIV risk behaviors in this cohort of HIV-positive people who inject drugs in Ukraine. Trauma-informed prevention approaches that consider both individual and structural violence could improve this population's HIV risks.La experiencia de violencia se ha asociado sistemáticamente con las conductas de riesgo para la adquisición o transmisión del VIH y con el uso de sustancias. Aunque muchos estudios se han centrado en la violencia infligida por la pareja íntima (VPI), el papel de la violencia estructural (es decir, el abuso policial) sigue siendo relevante para las personas que se inyectan drogas. Este estudio evaluó la asociación entre las experiencias de violencia perpetrada por la policía y la pareja íntima con los conductas de riesgo para la adquisición o transmisión del VIH y el uso de sustancias en una cohorte de personas VIH positivas que se inyectan drogas en Ucrania. También evaluamos los posibles efectos de moderación del género y el estatus socioeconómico entre la exposición a la violencia y los comportamientos de riesgo para la transmisión del VIH y uso de múltiples sustancias. Los datos provienen del estudio Providence / Boston-CFAR-Ucrania en el que participaron 191 personas infectadas por el VIH que se inyectan drogas, realizado en siete centros de tratamiento de adicciones en Ucrania. Los resultados de las regresiones logísticas sugieren que, en comparación con las personas que se inyectan drogas que no experimentaron IPV, las que experimentaron IPV tenían mayor probabilidad de uso de múltiples sustancias. La violencia sexual perpetrada por la policía se asoció con mayores probabilidades de un uso inconsistente del condón. No encontramos evidencia que apoye las moderaciones de género o estatus socioeconómico. Las experiencias de violencia se asociaron con el uso de sustancias y las conductas sexuales de riesgo para la transmisión del VIH en esta cohorte de personas VIH positivas que se inyectan drogas en Ucrania. Los enfoques de prevención basados en las experiencias traumáticas que tienen en cuenta tanto la violencia individual como la estructural podrían mejorar las conductas de riesgo para la transmission del VIH de esta población.

This cohort study assess the association of receipt of medication for opioid use disorder and mortality after hospitalization for injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis in Massachusetts., Key Points Question Is there an association between receipt of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) and mortality after hospitalization for injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis? Findings In this cohort study 679 individuals hospitalized with injection drug use–associated endocarditis, 24% received MOUD within 3 months of discharge. MOUD receipt within 3 months of discharge was not associated with reduced mortality but was associated with a reduction in mortality in the month received. Meaning In this study, treatment with MOUD was uncommon and was associated with reduced mortality in the time-varying analysis but not the main analysis, possibly owing to poor treatment retention., Importance Although hospitalizations for injection drug use–associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE) have increased during the opioid crisis, utilization of and mortality associated with receipt of medication for opioid use disorder (MOUD) after discharge from the hospital among patients with IDU-IE are unknown. Objective To assess the proportion of patients receiving MOUD after hospitalization for IDU-IE and the association of MOUD receipt with mortality. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used a population registry with person-level medical claims, prescription monitoring program, mortality, and substance use treatment data from Massachusetts between January 1, 2011, and December 31, 2015; IDU-IE–related discharges between July 1, 2011, and June, 30, 2015, were analyzed. All Massachusetts residents aged 18 to 64 years with a first hospitalization for IDU-IE were included; IDU-IE was defined as any hospitalization with a diagnosis of endocarditis and at least 1 claim in the prior 6 months for OUD, drug use, or hepatitis C and with 2-month survival after hospital discharge. Data were analyzed from November 11, 2018, to June 23, 2020. Exposure Receipt of MOUD, defined as any treatment with methadone, buprenorphine, or naltrexone, within 3 months after hospital discharge excluding discharge month for IDU-IE. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome was all-cause mortality. The proportion of patients who received MOUD in the 3 months after hospital discharge was calculated. Multivariable Cox proportional hazard regression models were used to examine the association of MOUD receipt with mortality, adjusting for sex, age, medical and psychiatric comorbidities, and homelessness. In the secondary analysis, receipt of MOUD was considered as a monthly time-varying exposure. Results Of 679 individuals with IDU-IE, 413 (60.8%) were male, the mean (SD) age was 39.2 (12.1) years, 298 (43.9%) were aged 18 to 34 years, 419 (72.3) had mental illness, and 209 (30.8) experienced homelessness. A total of 134 individuals (19.7%) received MOUD in the 3 months before hospitalization and 165 (24.3%) in the 3 months after hospital discharge. Of those who received MOUD after discharge, 112 (67.9%) received buprenorphine. The crude mortality rate was 9.2 deaths per 100 person-years. MOUD receipt within 3 months after discharge was not associated with reduced mortality (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.29; 95% CI, 0.61-2.72); however, MOUD receipt was associated with reduced mortality in the month that MOUD was received (adjusted hazard ratio, 0.30; 95% CI, 0.10-0.89). Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study, receipt of MOUD was associated with reduced mortality after hospitalization for injection drug use–associated endocarditis only in the month it was received. Efforts to improve MOUD initiation and retention after IDU-IE hospitalization may be beneficial.

Author(s): Wagman, Jennifer A; Wynn, Adriane; Matsuzaki, Mika; Gnatienko, Natalia; Metsch, Lisa R; Del Rio, Carlos; Feaster, Daniel J; Nance, Robin M; Whitney, Bridget M; Delaney, Joseph AC; Kahana, Shoshana Y; Crane, Heidi M; Chandler, Redonna K; Elliott, Jennifer C; Altice, Frederick; Lucas, Gregory M; Mehta, Shruti H; Hirsch-Moverman, Yael; El-Sadr, Wafaa M; Vu, Quan; Nguyen Thanh, Binh; Springer, Sandra A; Tsui, Judith I; Samet, Jeffrey H | Abstract: ObjectivesIn high-income countries, hazardous alcohol use is associated with reduced receipt of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) who inject drugs. These associations are less understood in lower middle-income countries (LMIC) and upper middle-income countries.DesignWe examined associations between hazardous alcohol use, ART receipt, and viral suppression among PLHIV who reported current or former injection drug use. Participants were from nine studies in the United States (high-income country), India (LMIC), Russia (upper middle-income country), and Vietnam (LMIC).MethodsHazardous alcohol use was measured via Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test. Outcomes were HIV viral suppression (viral load of l1000 RNA copies/ml) and self-reported ART receipt. Logistic regression assessed associations between hazardous alcohol use and both outcome variables, controlling for age and sex, among participants with current and former injection drug use.ResultsAmong 2790 participants, 16% were women, mean age was 37.1 ± 9.5 years. Mean Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test scores were 4.6 ± 8.1 (women) and 6.2 ± 8.3 (men); 42% reported ART receipt; 40% had viral suppression. Hazardous alcohol use was significantly associated with reduced ART receipt in India (adjusted odds ratio = 0.59, 95% confidence interval: 0.45-0.77, P l 0.001); and lower rates of viral suppression in Vietnam (adjusted odds ratio = 0.51, 95% confidence interval: 0.31-0.82, P = 0.006).ConclusionAssociations between hazardous alcohol use, ART receipt, and viral suppression varied across settings and were strongest in LMICs. Addressing hazardous alcohol use holds promise for improving HIV continuum of care outcomes among PLHIV who inject drugs. Specific impact and intervention needs may differ by setting.

Background Substance use disorders are common chronic conditions that often begin and develop during adolescence and young adulthood, yet the delivery of primary care is not developmentally tailored for youth who use substances. Very few primary care–based substance use treatment programs exist in the United States for adolescents and young adults and no clear guidance is available about how to provide substance use treatment in primary care. Methods We conducted a retrospective evaluation from July 2016 to December 2018 of a newly established primary care–based, multidisciplinary, outpatient program for youth who use substances. Components of the program include primary care, addiction treatment, harm reduction, naloxone distribution, psychotherapy, recovery support, and navigation addressing social determinants of health. We report the following patient characteristics and outcomes: demographics; proportion with substance use and mental health diagnoses; receipt of medications for opioid use disorder; retention in care at three, six, nine, and 12 months; and re-engagement in medical care. Results From July 2016 through December 2018, 148 patients had at least one visit. Demographic characteristics included: median age 21 years; 40.5% female; 94.0% spoke primarily English; 18.3% Black, 14.9% Hispanic, and 60.8% white. One-third of patients (33.8%) were homeless or housing insecure. The most common substance use disorder was opioid use disorder (60.8%), followed by nicotine (37.2%), cannabis (20.9%), and alcohol (18.2%). Overall, 29.7% of patients had depression, 32.4% had anxiety disorder, and 18.9% had post-traumatic stress disorder. Retention in care was 29.7% at six months and 12.2% at 12 months. Among the 90 patients with OUD, 90.0% received medication for OUD, and 35.5% and 15.5% of patients with OUD were retained at six and 12 months, respectively. For patients lost to follow-up (no contact during a three-month period), the median time to re-engagement was 4.8 months, and 33.3% (37/111) of patients re-engaged. The most common reason for re-engagement was to access mental health treatment (59.5%) and primary care (51.4%). Conclusions Youth who sought care in a primary care–based substance use program presented most commonly with opioid, nicotine, cannabis, and alcohol use disorders. Co-morbid mental health diagnoses were common. While continuous retention at 12 months was low, one in three of the patients who fell out of care re-engaged. For youth receiving substance use care integrated into primary care, key components for pursing optimal retention in substance use treatment are a flexible model that anticipates the need for the treatment of mental health disorders and the use of re-engagement strategies.

BackgroundAmong those with injection drug use-associated infective endocarditis (IDU-IE), against medical advice (AMA) discharge is common and linked to adverse outcomes. Understanding trends, risk factors, and timing is needed to reduce IDU-IE AMA discharges.MethodsWe identified individuals ages 18–64 with International Classification of Diseases, 9thRevision, diagnosis codes for infective endocarditis (IE) in the National Inpatient Sample, a representative sample of United States hospitalizations from January 2010 to September 2015. We plotted unadjusted quarter-year trends for AMA discharges and used multivariable logistic regression to identify factors associated with AMA discharge among IE hospitalizations, comparing IDU-IE with non-IDU-IE.ResultsWe identified 7259 IDU-IE and 23 633 non-IDU-IE hospitalizations. Of these hospitalizations, 14.2% of IDU-IE and 1.9% of non-IDU-IE resulted in AMA discharges. More than 30% of AMA discharges for both groups occurred before hospital day 3. In adjusted models, IDU status (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 3.92; 95% confidence interval [CI], 3.43–4.48)] was associated with increased odds of AMA discharge. Among IDU-IE, women (AOR, 1.21; 95% CI, 1.04–1.41) and Hispanics (AOR, 1.32; 95% CI, 1.03–1.69) had increased odds of AMA discharge, which differed from non-IDU-IE. Over nearly 6 years, odds of AMA discharge increased 12% per year for IDU-IE (AOR, 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07–1.18) and 6% per year for non-IDU-IE (AOR, 1.06; 95% CI. 1.00–1.13).ConclusionsAMA discharges have risen among individuals with IDU-IE and non-IDE-IE. Among those who inject drugs, AMA discharges were more common and increases sharper. Efforts that address the rising fraction, disparities, and timing of IDU-IE AMA discharges are needed.

Background Office-based buprenorphine treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) does not typically include in-person directly observed therapy (DOT), potentially leading to non-adherence. Video DOT technologies may safeguard against this issue and thus enhance likelihood of treatment success. We describe the rationale and protocol for the Trial of Adherence Application for Buprenorphine treatment (TAAB) study, a pilot randomized controlled trial (RCT) to evaluate the effects of video DOT delivered via a smartphone app on office-based buprenorphine treatment outcomes, namely illicit opioid use and retention. Methods Participants will be recruited from office-based opioid addiction treatment programs in outpatient clinics at two urban medical centers and randomized to either video DOT (intervention) delivered via a HIPAA-compliant, asynchronous, mobile health (mHealth) technology platform, or treatment-as-usual (control). Eligibility criteria are: 18 years or older, prescribed sublingual buprenorphine for a cumulative total of 28 days or less from the office-based opioid treatment program, and able to read and understand English. Patients will be considered ineligible if they are unable or unwilling to use the intervention, provide consent, or complete weekly study visits. All participants will complete 13 in-person weekly visits and be followed via electronic health record data capture at 12- and 24-weeks post-randomization. Data gathered include the following: demographics; current and previous treatment for OUD; self-reported diversion of prescribed buprenorphine; status of their mental and physical health; and self-reported lifetime and past 30-day illicit substance use. Participants provide urine samples at each weekly visit to test for illicit drugs and buprenorphine. The primary outcome is percentage of weekly urines that are negative for opioids over the 12-weeks. The secondary outcome is engagement in treatment at week 12. Discussion Video DOT delivered through mHealth technology platform offers possibility of improving patients’ buprenorphine adherence by providing additional structure and accountability. The TAAB study will provide important preliminary estimates of the impact of this mHealth technology for patients initiating buprenorphine, as well as the feasibility of study procedures, thus paving the way for further research to assess feasibility and generate preliminary data for design of a future Phase III trial. Trial Registration ClinicalTrails.gov, NCT03779997, Registered on December 19, 2018.

Introduction Co‐located treatment for HIV and opioid use disorder has been shown to improve care outcomes for HIV‐positive people who inject drugs (PWID) in Ukraine. However, patients continue to be stigmatized for both HIV and substance use. This study aimed to assess whether co‐located care for HIV‐positive PWID receiving opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services in Ukraine is associated with less stigma and better perceived quality of HIV services. Methods This cross‐sectional study enrolled 191 HIV‐positive PWID who received OAT services at three healthcare facilities providing substance use treatment (OAT only) and at four facilities that provided co‐located care (both OAT and HIV treatment) in six regions in Ukraine during July‐September, 2017. Primary outcomes were HIV stigma (Berger scale), substance use stigma (Substance Abuse Stigma Scale) and intersectional stigma (both stigma forms above 75th percentile). Secondary outcome was quality of HIV care, a composite score based on a package of received services. Linear and ordinal regressions were used to assess the predictors of selected outcomes. Results Study participants were 75% male, mean age 40 ± 7 years; 47% received co‐located care, and 10.5% had both high HIV and substance use stigma. Co‐located care was neither associated with HIV nor substance use stigma but it was linked to better quality of HIV care (adjusted odds ratio: 4.13; 95% CI: 2.31, 7.54). HIV stigma was associated with suicide attempts (adjusted beta (aβ): 5.90; 95% CI: 2.05, 9.75), and substance use stigma was linked to poor mental health (aβ: −0.26; 95% CI: −0.44, −0.08) and lower likelihood of receipt of services from non‐governmental organization (NGO; aβ: −6.40; 95% CI: −10.23, −2.57). Conclusion One in ten people with HIV in this cohort who received OAT services experienced high levels of both HIV and substance use stigma, which was associated with poorer mental health and less NGO support. Co‐located HIV and OAT services were linked to better perceived quality of HIV care, but did not seem to reduce stigma for this key population. Stigma interventions for PWID, possibly delivered involving NGOs, may be an approach to mitigate this challenge.

Objectives. To estimate the annual prevalence of opioid use disorder (OUD) in Massachusetts from 2011 to 2015. Methods. We performed a multisample stratified capture–recapture analysis to estimate OUD prevalence in Massachusetts. Individuals identified from 6 administrative databases for 2011 to 2012 and 7 databases for 2013 to 2015 were linked at the individual level and included in the analysis. Individuals were stratified by age group, sex, and county of residence. Results. The OUD prevalence in Massachusetts among people aged 11 years or older was 2.72% in 2011 and 2.87% in 2012. Between 2013 and 2015, the prevalence increased from 3.87% to 4.60%. The greatest increase in prevalence was observed among those in the youngest age group (11–25 years), a 76% increase from 2011 to 2012 and a 42% increase from 2013 to 2015. Conclusions. In Massachusetts, the OUD prevalence was 4.6% among people 11 years or older in 2015. The number of individuals with OUD is likely increasing, particularly among young people.

Background Guidelines recommend long-term treatment for opioid use disorder including the use of buprenorphine; however, many patients desire to eventually taper off. This study examines the prevalence and patient characteristics of patients that voluntarily taper off buprenorphine. Methods This is a 12-year retrospective cohort study of adults on buprenorphine in a large urban safety-net primary care practice. The primary outcome was completion of a voluntary buprenorphine taper, which was further characterized as a medically supervised or unsupervised taper. The secondary outcome was re-engagement in care after taper. Descriptive statistics and estimated proportions of both taper completion and re-engagement in treatment were calculated using Kaplan-Meier estimates. Results The study sample included 1308 patients with a median follow-up time of 316 days; 48 patients were observed to taper off buprenorphine during the study period, with an estimated proportion of 15% (95%CI: 10%–21%) based on Kaplan Meier analyses. Less than half of the tapers, 45.8% (22/48), were medically supervised. Thirteen of the 48 patients subsequently, re-engaged in buprenorphine treatment (estimated proportion 61%, 95%CI: 27%–96%), based on Kaplan-Meier analyses with median follow-up time of 490 days. Discussion Despite the fact that many patients desire to discontinue buprenorphine, a minority had a documented taper. Among those who tapered, more than half did so unsupervised by the clinic and a majority of those who tapered off returned to buprenorphine treatment within two years. As many patients are unable to successfully taper off buprenorphine, the medical community must work to address any barriers to long-term maintenance.

Background: Generalist physicians should play a vital role in identifying and managing individuals with substance use but are inadequately trained to do so. Methods: This 5-year (2008–2012) controlled educational study assessed whether internal medicine and family medicine chief residents’ (CRs) addiction medicine teaching increased by co-training with faculty mentors at a Chief Resident Immersion Training (CRIT) program in addiction medicine. All CRIT CR attendees identified a residency program faculty mentor to support addiction medicine teaching after CRIT through functional mentoring with a focus on developing and implementing an Addiction Medicine Teaching Project (“Teaching Project”). Approximately half of the CRs attended CRIT with their mentor ( co-trained) and half without their mentor ( solo-trained). Addiction medicine teaching outcomes were compared between groups using 6- and 11-month questionnaires and 4 bimonthly teaching logs. Of co-trained CRs, mentor characteristics that positively influenced addiction medicine teaching outcomes were identified. Results: One hundred CRs from 74 residency programs attended CRIT from 2008 to 2012; 47 co-trained with their mentors and 53 solo-trained without their mentors. At 6-month follow-up, the co-trained CRs were more likely to meet at least monthly with their mentor (22.7% vs. 9.6%, P < .01) and more likely to identify their mentor as a facilitator for Teaching Project implementation (82.2% vs. 38.5%, P < .01). At 11-month follow-up, a higher percentage of co-trained CRs had completed their Teaching Project (34.0% vs. 15.1%, P < .05). Both CR groups had similarly large increases in other addiction medicine teaching outcomes. Mentors with more experience, including years of teaching, was associated with better CR Teaching Project outcomes. Conclusions: Co-training generalist chief residents with a faculty mentor appeared to facilitate functional mentoring–driven Teaching Project implementation but did not further increase already high levels of other addiction medicine teaching. Faculty mentors with more years of teaching experience were more effective in facilitating Teaching Project implementation.

Background Chronic opioid therapy (COT) is common in people living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV), but is not well studied. We assessed opioid risk behaviors, perceptions of risk, opioid monitoring, and associated Current Opioid Misuse Measure (COMM) scores of PLHIV on COT. Methods COT was defined as ≥3 opioid prescriptions ≥21 days apart in the past 6 months. Demographics, substance use, COMM score, and perceptions of and satisfaction with COT monitoring were assessed among PLHIV on COT from 2 HIV clinics. Results Among participants (N = 165) on COT, 66% were male and 72% were black, with a median age of 55 (standard deviation, 8) years. Alcohol and drug use disorders were present in 17% and 19%, respectively. In 43%, the COMM score, a measure of potential opioid misuse, was high. Thirty percent had an opioid treatment agreement, 66% a urine drug test (UDT), and 12% a pill count. Ninety percent acknowledged opioids' addictive potential. Median (interquartile range) satisfaction levels (1-10 [10 = highest]) were 10 (7-10) for opioid treatment agreements, 9.5 (6-10) for pill counts, and 10 (8-10) for UDT. No association was found between higher COMM score and receipt of or satisfaction with COT monitoring. Conclusions Among PLHIV on COT, opioid misuse and awareness of the addictive potential of COT are common, yet COT monitoring practices were not guideline concordant. Patients who received monitoring practices reported high satisfaction. Patient attitudes suggest high acceptance of guideline concordant care for PLHIV on COT when it occurs.

BACKGROUND: Russia continues to have an uncontrolled HIV epidemic and its per capita alcohol consumption is among the highest in the world. Alcohol use among HIV-positive individuals is common and is associated with worse clinical outcomes. Alcohol use and HIV each lead to microbial translocation, which in turn results in inflammation. Zinc supplementation holds potential for lowering levels of biomarkers of inflammation, possibly as a consequence of its impact on intestinal permeability. This paper describes the protocol of a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial of zinc supplementation in St. Petersburg, Russia. METHODS: Participants (n=254) were recruited between October 2013 and June 2015 from HIV and addiction clinical care sites, and non-clinical sites in St. Petersburg, Russia. Participants were randomly assigned, to receive either zinc (15 mg for men; 12 mg for women) or placebo, daily for 18 months. The following outcomes were assessed at 6, 12, and 18 months: 1) mortality risk (primary outcome at 18 months); 2) HIV disease progression; 3) cardiovascular risk; and 4) microbial translocation and inflammation. Adherence was assessed using direct (riboflavin) and indirect (pill count, self-report) measures. CONCLUSION: Given the limited effectiveness of current interventions to reduce alcohol use, zinc supplementation merits testing as a simple, low cost intervention to mitigate the consequences of alcohol use in HIV-positive persons despite ongoing drinking. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT01934803

This exploratory study aims to investigate whether anxiety, depression, and pain are associated with changes in marijuana use and drug use consequences among primary care patients. In all, 331 adult primary care patients with marijuana as the only drug used were followed prospectively to investigate associations between anxiety/depression symptoms (no/minimal symptoms; anxiety or depression symptoms; symptoms of both) and pain (1-10 scale: none [0]; low [1-3]; medium [4-6]; high [7-10]) (independent variables) and substance use outcomes in regression models. These outcomes were changes (over 6 months) in primary outcomes: marijuana use days (past 30); and drug use consequences (Short Inventory of Problems-Drugs [SIP-D]); secondary outcomes-drug use risk (Alcohol, Smoking, and Substance Involvement Screening Test [ASSIST] score for drugs). At baseline, 67% reported no/minimal anxiety/depression symptoms, 16% anxiety or depression symptoms, 17% both; 14% reported no pain, 16% low, 23% medium, 47% high pain level. Mean (SD) number of marijuana use days was 16.4 (11.6), mean SIP-D 5.9 (9.0), mean ASSIST 12.5 (7.8); no significant association was found between anxiety/depression and marijuana use changes. Given the same baseline status for SIP-D and ASSIST, respectively, those with anxiety or depression had greater increases in SIP-D (adjusted mean difference [95% confidence interval] +3.26 [1.20; 5.32], P = 0.004) and borderline significant increases in ASSIST (+3.27 [-0.12; 6.65], P = 0.06) compared with those without anxiety or depression; those with both anxiety and depression had greater increases in ASSIST (+5.42 [2.05; 8.79], P = 0.003), but not SIP-D (+1.80 [-0.46; 4.06], P = 0.12). There was no significant association between pain and marijuana use and SIP-D changes. Given the same baseline ASSIST level, those with high pain level had greater increases in ASSIST (+4.89 [1.05; 8.72], P = 0.04) compared with those with no pain. In these exploratory analyses, anxiety, depression, and high pain level appear to be associated with increases in drug-related harm among primary care patients using marijuana.

Limited research examines family planning for HIV-infected women with a history of injection drug use. We describe modern contraceptive use and its association with heavy drinking and recent injection for HIV-infected females in St. Petersburg, Russia (N = 49): 22.4% (n = 11) used traditional methods and 30.6% (n = 15) reported modern contraceptive use, which consisted primarily of condoms (26.5%, n = 13). Over 63% (n = 31) had an abortion. Observed associations for heavy alcohol use (AOR = 2.36, CI = 0.53, 12.41) and recent injection drug use (AOR = 2.88, CI = 0.60, 16.92) were clinically notable, but not statistically significant. Prioritizing family planning for HIV-infected women with a history of substance use is urgently needed.

In HIV-infected drinkers, alcohol types more likely to cause inflammation could plausibly increase the risk of HIV disease progression. We therefore assessed the association between alcohol type and plasma HIV RNA level (HIV viral load) among HIV-infected drinkers not on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Russia and Uganda. We analyzed the data of participants from cohorts in Russia and Uganda and assessed their HIV viral load at enrollment by the alcohol type predominantly consumed. We defined predominant alcohol type as the alcohol type contributing >50% of total alcohol consumption in the 1 month (Russia) or 3 months (Uganda) prior to enrollment. Using multiple linear regression, we compared log10 HIV viral load by predominant alcohol type, controlling for age, gender, socioeconomic status, total number of standard drinks, frequency of drinking ≥6 drinks/occasion, and in Russia, history of injection drug use. Most participants (99.2% of 261 in Russia and 98.9% of 352 in Uganda) predominantly drank one alcohol type. In Russia, we did not find evidence for differences in viral load levels between drinkers of fortified wine (n = 5) or hard liquor (n = 49), compared to drinkers of beer/low-ethanol-content cocktails (n = 163); however, wine/high-ethanol-content cocktail drinkers (n = 42) had higher mean log10 viral load than beer/low-ethanol-content cocktail drinkers (β = 0.38, 95% CI 0.07-0.69; p = 0.02). In Uganda, we did not find evidence for differences in viral load levels between drinkers of locally-brewed beer (n = 41), commercially-distilled spirits (n = 38), or locally-distilled spirits (n = 43), compared to drinkers of commercially-made beer (n = 218); however, wine drinkers (n = 8) had lower mean log10 HIV viral load (β = -0.65, 95% CI -1.36 to 0.07, p = 0.08), although this did not reach statistical significance. Among HIV-infected drinkers not yet on ART in Russia and Uganda, we observed an association between the alcohol type predominantly consumed and the HIV viral load level in the Russia sample. These exploratory results suggest that, in addition to total number of drinks and drinking patterns, alcohol type might be a dimension of alcohol use that merits examination in studies of HIV and alcohol related outcomes.

Background Unhealthy alcohol use (UAU) is common among people who use other drugs; however, little information is available about UAU among patients who screen positive for drugs in primary care, where the clinical priority might be assumed to be drug use. This study aimed at describing the occurrence of UAU and its association with substance use–related outcomes in such patients. Methods This cohort study is a secondary analysis of data from a randomized trial of brief intervention for primary care patients screening positive for drug use. UAU was assessed at baseline; the main independent variable was any heavy drinking day in the past month. Outcomes including drug use characteristics and substance use–related consequences were assessed at baseline and 6 months later. Results Of 589 primary care patients with drug use, 48% had at least 1 past-month heavy drinking day. The self-identified main drug was marijuana for 64%, cocaine for 18%, and an opioid for 16%. Any heavy drinking at baseline was negatively associated with number of days use of the main drug at 6 months (incidence rate ratio [IRR] = 0.75, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.62–0.91), but positively associated with the use of more than 1 drug (IRR = 1.73, 95% CI: 1.17–2.55) and unsafe sex (odds ratio [OR] = 1.90, 95% CI: 1.21–2.98). Conclusion Unhealthy alcohol use is common among patients identified by screening in primary care as using other drugs. Unexpectedly, UAU was negatively associated with days of main drug use. But, as expected, it was positively associated with other drug use characteristics and substance use–related consequences. These findings suggest that attention should be given to alcohol use among primary care patients who use other drugs.

HIV and alcohol use are two serious and co-existing problems in sub-Saharan Africa. We examined the relationship between spirituality and/or religiousness (SR) and unhealthy alcohol use among treatment-naïve HIV-infected adults attending the HIV clinic in Mbarara, Uganda. Unhealthy alcohol was defined as having either an Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test – Consumption score of ≥4 for men or ≥3 for women, or having a phosphatidylethanol level of ≥50ng/ml based on analysis of dried blood-spot specimens. Of the 447 participants, 67.8% were female; the median age was 32 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 27–40). About half reported being Protestant (49.2%), 35.1 % Catholic, and 9.2% Muslim. The median SR score was high (103 [IQR: 89–107]); 43.3% drank at unhealthy levels. Higher SR scores were associated with lower odds of unhealthy drinking (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 0.83 per standard deviation [SD] increase; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.66–1.03). The “religious behavior” SR sub-scale was significantly associated with unhealthy alcohol use (aOR: 0.72 per SD increase; 95% CI 0.58–0.88). Religious institutions, which facilitate expression of religious behavior, may be helpful in promoting and maintaining lower levels of alcohol use.

People living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) who use substances were examined to (a) describe those with virologic control and (b) determine which substance use-factors are associated with lack of virologic control. Participants were adult PLWH taking ART with either past 12-month DSM-IV substance dependence or past 30-day alcohol or illicit drug use. Substance use factors included number of DSM-IV alcohol or drug dependence criteria and past 30-day specific substance use. Associations with HIV viral load (HVL) (

Background Guidelines recommend long-term treatment for opioid use disorder with buprenorphine; however, little is known about patients in long-term treatment. The aim of this study is to examine the prevalence and patient characteristics of long-term treatment retention (≥ 1 year) in an Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) program with buprenorphine. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of adults on buprenorphine from January 2002 to February 2014 in a large urban safety-net primary care OBOT program. The primary outcome was retention in OBOT for at least one continuous year. Potential predictors included age, race, psychiatric diagnoses, hepatitis C, employment, prior buprenorphine, ever heroin use, current cocaine, benzodiazepine and alcohol use on enrollment. Factors associated with ≥ 1 year OBOT retention were identified using generalized estimating equation logistic regression models. Patients who re-enrolled in the program contributed repeated observations. Results There were 1605 OBOT treatment periods among 1237 patients in this study. Almost half, 45% (717/1605), of all treatment periods were ≥ 1 year and a majority, 53.7% (664/1237), of patients had at least one ≥ 1 year period. In adjusted analyses, female gender (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 1.55, 95% CI [1.20, 2.00]) psychiatric diagnosis (AOR 1.75 [1.35, 2.27]) and age (AOR 1.19 per 10 year increase [1.05, 1.34]) were associated with greater odds of ≥ 1 year retention. Unemployment (AOR 0.72 [0.56, 0.92]), Hepatitis C (AOR 0.59 [0.45, 0.76]), black race/ethnicity (AOR 0.53 [0.36, 0.78]) and Hispanic race/ethnicity (AOR 0.66 [0.48, 0.92]) were associated with lower odds of ≥ 1 year retention. Conclusions Over half of patients who presented to Office Based Opioid Treatment with buprenorphine were ultimately successfully retained for ≥ 1 year. However, significant disparities in one-year treatment retention were observed, including poorer retention for patients who were younger, black, Hispanic, unemployed, or with hepatitis C.

Objectives Among Russians living with HIV/AIDS who inject drugs, we examined the incidence of fatal and non-fatal overdoses following discharge from a narcology hospital and the associations with more advanced HIV infection. Design Prospective cohort study of data collected at baseline, 3 and 6 months from HIV-infected patients with a history of injection drug use who were not treated with anti-retroviral therapy. Participants were recruited between 2012–2014 from a narcology (addiction) hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. Methods Fatal overdose was determined based on contact reports to study staff in the year after discharge. Non-fatal overdose was self-reported at the 3- and 6-month assessments. The main independent variable for HIV severity was CD4 cell count at the baseline interview ( 3 ≥200cells/mm 3 ). Secondary analyses assessed time since HIV diagnosis and treated with anti-retroviral treatment (ART) prior to enrolment as independent variables. We fit Cox proportional hazards models to assess whether HIV severity is associated with either fatal or non-fatal overdose. Results Among 349 narcology patients, 18 participants died from overdose within one year after discharge (8.7%, 95% CI 3.4–14.2 by Kaplan–Meier); an estimated 51% [95% CI 34–68%] reported at least one non-fatal overdose within 6 months of discharge. HIV severity, time since HIV diagnosis and ever ART were not significantly associated with either fatal or non-fatal overdose events. Conclusion Fatal and non-fatal overdose are common among Russians living with HIV/AIDS who inject drugs after narcology hospital discharge. Overdose prevention interventions are urgently warranted among Russian narcology patients with HIV infection.

The prevalence of psychoactive medications (PAMs) use in patients enrolled in Office Based Opioid Treatment (OBOT) and its association with engagement in this care is largely unknown.To describe the use of PAMs, including those medications with emerging evidence of misuse ("emerging PAMs" - gabapentin, clonidine and promethazine) among patients on buprenorphine, and its association with disengagement from OBOT.This is a retrospective cohort study of adults on buprenorphine from January 2002 to February 2014. The association between use of PAMs and 6-month disengagement from OBOT was examined using multivariable logistic regression models. A secondary analysis exploring time-to-disengagement was conducted using Cox regression models.At OBOT entry, 43% of patients (562/1308) were prescribed any PAM; including 17% (223/1308) on an emerging PAM. In separate adjusted analyses, neither the presence of any PAM (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 1.07, 95% CI [0.78, 1.46]) nor an emerging PAM (AOR 1.28 [0.95, 1.74]) was significantly associated with 6-month disengagement. The results were similar for the Cox model (any PAM (adjusted hazard ratio [AHR] 1.16, 95% CI [1.00, 1.36]), emerging PAM (AHR 1.18 [0.98, 1.41])). Exploratory analyses suggested gabapentin (AHR 1.30 [1.05-1.62]) and clonidine (AHR 1.33 [1.01-1.73]) specifically, may be associated with an overall shorter time to disengagement.Psychoactive medication use is common among patients in buprenorphine treatment. No significant association was found between the presence of any psychoactive medications, including medications with emerging evidence of misuse, and 6-month disengagement from buprenorphine treatment.

Background The United States is in the middle of an opioid overdose epidemic, and experts are calling for improved detection of opioid use disorders (OUDs) and treatment with buprenorphine or extended release (XR) injectable naltrexone, which can be prescribed in general medical settings. To better understand the magnitude of opportunities for treatment among primary care (PC) patients, we estimated the prevalence of documented OUD and medication treatment of OUD among PC patients. Methods This cross-sectional study included patients with ≥2 visits to PC clinics across 6 healthcare delivery systems who were ≥16 years of age during the study period (fiscal years 2014–2016). Diagnoses, prescriptions, and healthcare utilization were ascertained from electronic health records and insurance claims (5 systems that also offer health insurance). Documented OUDs were defined as ≥1 International Classification of Diseases code for OUDs (active or remission), and OUD treatment was defined as ≥1 prescription(s) for buprenorphine formulations indicated for OUD or naltrexone XR, during the 3-year study period. The prevalence of documented OUD and treatment (95% confidence intervals) across health systems were estimated, and characteristics of patients by treatment status were compared. Prevalence of OUD and OUD treatment were adjusted for age, gender, and race/ethnicity. Combined results were also adjusted for site. Result Among 1,403,327 eligible PC patients, 54–62% were female and mean age ranged from 46 to 51 years across health systems. The 3-year prevalence of documented OUD ranged from 0.7–1.4% across the health systems. Among patients with documented OUD, the prevalence of medication treatment (primarily buprenorphine) varied across health systems: 3%, 12%, 16%, 20%, 22%, and 36%. Conclusion The prevalence of documented OUD and OUD treatment among PC patients varied widely across health systems. The majority of PC patients with OUD did not have evidence of treatment with buprenorphine or naltrexone XR, highlighting opportunities for improved identification and treatment in medical settings. These results can inform initiatives aimed at improving treatment of OUD in PC. Future research should focus on why there is such variation and how much of the variation can be addressed by improving access to medication treatment.

Buprenorphine is a critically important treatment for addressing the opioid epidemic, but there are virtually no studies of physicians' job satisfaction with providing buprenorphine. Physicians' job satisfaction has been linked to burnout and turnover as well as patients' adherence to treatment recommendations, so it is important to understand how physicians' satisfaction with providing buprenorphine treatment compares to their overall job satisfaction.As part of a cluster randomized clinical trial (RCT) focused on expanding access to medication for opioid use disorder, 55 physicians working in 38 organizations in Florida, Ohio, and Wisconsin completed a baseline web-based survey. Study measures included global job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and specialty satisfaction. Physicians who were waivered to prescribe buprenorphine were asked to rate their satisfaction with their current buprenorphine practice.Overall, physicians were generally satisfied with their jobs, their careers, and their specialties. When waivered physicians (n = 40) were compared to non-waivered physicians (n = 15) on 13 satisfaction items, there were no statistically significant differences. Among waivered physicians, ratings for buprenorphine work were significantly lower than ratings for general medical practice for finding such work personally rewarding, being pleased with such work, and overall satisfaction.Although waivered and non-waivered physicians both reported high global job satisfaction, these data suggest that some waivered physicians may view their buprenorphine work as somewhat less satisfying than their global medical practice. Given that job dissatisfaction is a risk factor for turnover and burnout, managers of treatment organizations should consider whether strategies may be able to mitigate some sources of lower satisfaction in the context of buprenorphine treatment. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov. NCT02926482. Date of registration: September 9, 2016. https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT02926482.

Objective: To determine whether the Linking Infectious and Narcology Care strengths-based case management intervention was more effective than usual care for linking people who inject drugs (PWID) to HIV care and improving HIV outcomes. Design: Two-armed randomized controlled trial. Setting: Participants recruited from a narcology hospital in St. Petersburg, Russia. Participants: A total of 349 HIV-positive PWID not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Intervention: Strengths-based case management over 6 months. Main outcome measures: Primary outcomes were linkage to HIV care and improved CD4+ cell count. We performed adjusted logistic and linear regression analyses controlling for past HIV care using the intention-to-treat approach. Results: Participants (N = 349) had the following baseline characteristics: 73% male, 12% any past ART use, and median values of 34.0 years of age and CD4+ cell count 311 cells/μl. Within 6 months of enrollment 51% of the intervention group and 31% of controls linked to HIV care (adjusted odds ratio 2.34; 95% confidence interval: 1.49–3.67; P

Clinical practice that utilizes chronic opioid therapy has been recognized as one major cause of the opioid crisis. Among patients living with HIV, the risks associated with chronic opioid therapy may be complicated by factors such as co-occurring mental health diagnoses, substance use, and economic marginalization. Improving opioid prescribing practices in HIV clinics requires attention to these and other characteristics common to HIV care. In the context of a randomized controlled trial testing an intervention to improve opioid prescribing practices in HIV outpatient clinics, we interviewed physicians about their perspectives on chronic opioid therapy. Overwhelmingly, physicians voiced ambivalence about their own knowledge and comfort with prescription opioids. They raised concerns about the impact of opioid prescribing on patient-provider relationships and the increasing workload associated with prescribing and monitoring patients. In this report, we explore these concerns and propose several strategies for improving clinical care in which chronic opioid therapy is addressed.

Introduction Despite the high prevalence and significant health risks of substance use disorders (SUDs), a minority of individuals with SUDs receive treatment of any kind. The aims of this study are to describe inpatients with an SUD who receive an addiction consult at a large urban safety net hospital and explore characteristics associated with receiving an addiction consult. Methods This is a retrospective cohort study of all adult patients with a discharge diagnosis of an SUD from July 2015 to July 2016. A generalized estimating equation (GEE) logistic regression model was used to explore patient factors associated with receipt of an addiction consult, such as demographics, social, medical, and SUD characteristics. Results A total of 3905 patients with SUD diagnoses with 5979 hospitalization encounters were included in this study. There were 694 addiction consults (11.6%, 95% CI: 10.71% to 12.5%) across all of the encounters and 576 unique patients that received consults. Patients with opioid use disorder had higher odds of receiving a consult (Adjusted Odds Ratio: 6.39, 95% CI 5.14–7.94), as did patients with acute complications from their substance use (AOR: 1.64, 95% CI 1.34–2.02), patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (AOR: 2.06, 95% CI 1.59–2.67), and homeless patients (AOR: 1.31, 95% CI 1.08–1.59). Patients with a psychiatry consult had higher odds of receiving an addiction consult (AOR: 1.75, 95% CI 1.37–2.23), and so did patients receiving benzodiazepines and/or phenobarbital (AOR: 1.88, 95% CI 1.55–2.28). Older patients (AOR: 0.82, 95% CI 0.76–0.88 per 10 year increase) had lower odds of receiving a consult, as did patients with an overdose diagnosis (AOR: 0.71, 95% CI 0.53–0.96). Conclusion A minority of inpatients with SUD received an addiction consult, however, inpatients with opioid use disorder, acute complications (medical, mental health) and homelessness had higher odds of receiving an addiction consult. Patients surviving overdose, a severe acute complication of substance use, had lower odds of receiving a consult and, thus, warrant development of care pathways to provide overdose prevention and addiction treatment engagement.

We describe HIV providers’ opioid prescribing practices and assess whether belief that chronic opioid therapy (COT) keeps people living with HIV (PLWH) engaged in care is associated with differences in these practices among providers from two HIV clinics. We conducted logistic regression to evaluate the association between the belief that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care and at least one component of guideline-recommended care (i.e., urine drug tests, treatment agreements, and/or prescription monitoring program use). The sample included 41 providers with a median age of 42 years, 63% female, 37% non-white. Routine adherence to guideline-recommended practices was: 34% urine drug tests, 27% treatment agreements, and 17% prescription monitoring program. Over half [54%] agreed that COT keeps PLWH engaged in care. There was no significant association between belief that COT keeps persons living with HIV engaged care and routinely providing any recommended COT care component (aOR 2.38; 95% CI 0.65-8.73). Most HIV providers do not routinely follow guidelines for opioid prescribing. We observed a positive association between belief that COT keeps PLHIV engaged in care and following any guideline-recommended prescribing practices, although the result was not statistically significant. Interventions are needed to improve guideline-concordant care for COT by HIV providers.

Background and aims Liver disease in people living with HIV co-infected with hepatitis C virus is a source of morbidity and mortality in Russia. HIV accelerates liver fibrosis in the setting of HCV co-infection and alcohol use. Zinc deficiency is common among people living with HIV and may be a factor that facilitates the underlying mechanisms of liver fibrosis. We investigated the association between zinc deficiency and advanced liver fibrosis in a cohort of HIV/HCV co-infected persons reporting heavy drinking in Russia. Methods This is a secondary data analysis of baseline data from 204 anti-retroviral treatment naive HIV/HCV co-infected Russians with heavy drinking that were recruited into a clinical trial of zinc supplementation. The primary outcome of interest in this cross-sectional study was advanced liver fibrosis. Zinc deficiency, the main independent variable, was defined as plasma zinc

Background The US opioid crisis is associated with a surge in hepatitis C virus (HCV) infections among persons who inject drugs (PWID), and yet the uptake of HCV curative therapy among PWID is low. Purpose To explore potential solutions to overcome barriers to HCV treatment uptake among individuals at a drug detoxification center. Methods Qualitative study with in-depth interviews and thematic analysis of coded data. Results Patients (N = 24) had the following characteristics: mean age 37 years; 67 % White, 13 % Black, 8 % Latinx, 4 % Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, 8 % other; 71 % with a history of injecting drugs. Most patients with a positive HCV test had not pursued treatment due to few perceived immediate consequences from a positive test and possible complications arising in a distant poorly imagined future. Active substance use was a major barrier to HCV treatment uptake because of disruptions to routine activities. In addition, re-infection after treatment was perceived as inevitable. Patients had suggestions to improve HCV treatment uptake: high-intensity wraparound care characterized by frequent interactions with supportive services; same-day/walk-in options; low-barrier access to substance use treatment; assistance with navigating the health care system; attention to immediate needs, such as housing; and the opportunity to select an approach that best fits individual circumstances. Conclusions Active substance use was a major barrier to treatment initiation. To improve uptake, affected individuals recommended that HCV treatment be integrated within substance use treatment programs. Such a model should incorporate patient education within low-barrier, high-intensity wraparound care, tailored to patients’ needs and priorities.

Chronic pain among people with HIV (PWH) is a driving factor of emergency department (ED) utilization, and it is often treated with chronic opioid therapy (COT). We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective observational cohort of PWH on COT at 2 hospital-based clinics to determine whether COT-specific factors are associated with ED utilization among PWH. The primary outcome was an ED visit within 12 months after study enrollment. We used stepwise logistic regression including age, gender, opioid duration, hepatitis C, depression, prior ED visits, and Charlson comorbidity index. Of 153 study participants, n = 69 (45%) had an ED visit; 25% of ED visits were pain-related. High dose opioids, benzodiazepine co-prescribing, and lack of opioid treatment agreements were not associated with ED utilization, but prior ED visits (p = 0.002), depression (p = 0.001) and higher Charlson comorbidity score (p = 0.003) were associated with ED utilization. COT-specific factors were not associated with increased ED utilization among PWH.

Objectives Certain prescribed opioids have immunosuppressive properties, yet their impact on clinically relevant outcomes, including antiretroviral therapy (ART) response among HIV-infected patients, remains understudied. Methods Using the Veterans Aging Cohort Study data, we conducted a longitudinal analysis of 4358 HIV-infected patients initiating ART between 2002 and 2010 and then followed them for 24 months. The primary independent variable was prescribed opioid duration, categorized using pharmacy data as none prescribed, short-term (< 90 days) and long-term (≥ 90 days). Outcomes included CD4 cell count over time. Analyses adjusted for demographics, comorbid conditions, ART type and year of initiation, and overall disease severity [ascertained with the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index]. Sensitivity analyses examined whether effects varied according to baseline CD4 cell count, achievement of viral load suppression, and opioid properties (i.e. dose and known immunosuppressive properties). Results Compared to those with none, patients with short-term opioids had a similar increase in CD4 cell count (mean rise per year: 74 vs. 68 cells/μL; P = 0.11), as did those with long-term prescribed opioids (mean rise per year: 74 vs. 75 cells/μL; P = 0.98). In sensitivity analysis, compared with no opioids, the effects of short-term prescribed opioids were statistically significant among those with a baseline CD4 cell count ≥ 500 cells/μL (mean rise per year: 52 cells/μL for no opioids vs. 20 cells/μL for short-term opioids; P = 0.04); findings were otherwise unchanged. Conclusions Despite immunosuppressive properties intrinsic to opioids, prescribed opioids appeared to have no effect on CD4 cell counts over 24 months among HIV-infected patients initiating ART.

Food insecurity (FI) is a documented problem associated with adverse health outcomes among HIV-infected populations. Little is known about the relationship between alcohol use and FI. We assessed whether heavy alcohol use was associated with FI among HIV-infected, antiretroviral therapy (ART)-naïve cohorts in Uganda and Russia. Inverse probability of treatment weighted logistic regression models were used to evaluate the association using cross-sectional baseline data. FI was experienced by half of the Russia cohort (52%) and by a large majority of the Uganda cohort (84%). We did not detect an association between heavy alcohol use and FI in either cohort (Russia: AOR=0.80, 95% CI 0.46, 1.40; Uganda: AOR=1.00, 95% CI 0.57, 1.74) or based on the overall combined estimate (AOR=0.89, 95% CI 0.60, 1.33). Future studies should explore the determinants of FI in HIV-infected populations to inform strategies for its mitigation.