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Objective: Research suggests that smoking-cessation interventions are less successful among people living with HIV (PLWH). The factors influencing the limited success of evidence-based smoking-cessation interventions in this population are not well understood. Design: Longitudinal analyses (of the first 12-months of an ongoing cohort (“FILTERS”) sociodemographically matched sample of 160 PLWH and 180 without HIVcomprised of both smokers and non-smokers . Methods: Semi-annual visits include a detailed survey of smoking behaviors (e.g., type of cigarette, amounts) and cessation efforts (i.e., prior attempts to quit, interest in quitting). Additionally, a fasting blood sample was obtained to assess serum cotinine, biochemical, and viroimmune parameters. Results: Compared to seronegatives, PLWH were more likely to be smokers (OR=1.4; 95% CI: 1-2.2;p=0.05).The readiness-to-quit-stages assessment showed that only 45% of the participants in the PLWH group were in the preparation or ready-to-action stages.PLWH were less likely to express interest in quitting than HIV negatives (OR=0.6; 95% CI: 0.4-1;p=0.05). Analyses indicated that PLWH were twice more likely to report stress, depression and anxiety as causes of relapse in prior quitting attempts (OR=1.6; 95% CI: 1.5- 2.4;p=0.004). After a natural course of 12 months,subjects receiving antidepressants exhibited larger reductions in number of cigarettes smoked per day (-2.6 CPD, p=0.06), than those without treatment (-0.8 CPD, p=0.2). Conclusions: Our analyses indicated that negative moodsimpact quitting success rates, particularly among PLWH. Our findings suggest that evaluation and treatment of depression may be a critical component of a smoking cessation program.

The role of platelets in the neurological diseases that underlie cognitive impairment has attracted increasing attention in recent years. Multiple pathways in platelets contribute to host defenses, as well as to CNS function. In the current study, we hypothesize that the Blood Brain Barrier (BBB) is disrupted when exposed to platelets from patients with triple Co-morbidity (hazardous alcohol users+ HIV+ thrombocytopenia), compared to those with dual, single or no morbidity (HIV only, alcohol only or healthy controls).