Faculty Bibliography

We evaluated the effect of syringe acquisition on syringe disposal among HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs) in Baltimore, New York City, and San Francisco (N = 680; mean age 42 years, 62% male, 59% African-American, 21% Hispanic, 12% White). Independent predictors of safe disposal were acquiring syringes through a safe source and ever visiting a syringe exchange program. Weaker predictors included living in San Francisco, living in the area longer, less frequent binge drinking, injecting with an HIV+ partner, peer norms supporting safe injection, and self-empowerment. Independent predictors of safe 'handling'-both acquiring and disposing of syringes safely-also included being from New York and being older. HIV-positive IDUs who obtain syringes from a safe source are more likely to safely dispose; peer norms contribute to both acquisition and disposal. Interventions to improve disposal should include expanding sites of safe syringe acquisition while enhancing disposal messages, alternatives, and convenience

BACKGROUND: Active drug use is often associated with poor adherence, but few studies have determined psychosocial correlates of adherence in injection drug users (IDUs). METHODS: Of 1161 Intervention for Seropositive Injectors-Research and Evaluation study enrollees, 636 were taking antiretrovirals. We assessed self-reported adherence to self-reported antiretroviral regimens and medication errors, which we defined as daily doses that were inconsistent with standard or alternative antiretroviral prescriptions. RESULTS: Most subjects (75%, n=477) self-reported good (>or=90%) adherence, which was strongly associated with an undetectable viral load. Good adherence was independently associated with being a high school graduate, not sharing injection equipment, fewer depressive symptoms, positive attitudes toward antiretrovirals, higher self-efficacy for taking antiretrovirals as prescribed, and greater sense of responsibility to protect others from HIV. Medication errors were made by 54% (n=346) and were strongly associated with a detectable viral load and fewer CD4 cells. Errors were independently associated with nonwhite race and with depressive symptoms, poorer self-efficacy for safer drug use, and worse attitudes toward HIV medications. CONCLUSIONS: Modifiable factors associated with poor adherence, including depressive symptoms and poor self-efficacy, should be targeted for intervention. Because medication errors are prevalent and associated with a detectable viral load and fewer CD4 cells, interventions should include particular efforts to identify medication taking inconsistent with antiretroviral prescriptions

BACKGROUND: There is a lack of effective behavioral interventions for HIV-positive injection drug users (IDUs). We sought to evaluate the efficacy of an intervention to reduce sexual and injection transmission risk behaviors and to increase utilization of medical care and adherence to HIV medications among this population. METHODS: HIV-positive IDUs (n=966) recruited in 4 US cities were randomly assigned to a 10-session peer mentoring intervention or to an 8-session video discussion intervention (control condition). Participants completed audio computer-assisted self-interviews and had their blood drawn to measure CD4 cell count and viral load at baseline and at 3-month (no blood), 6-month, and 12-month follow-ups. RESULTS: Overall retention rates for randomized participants were 87%, 83%, and 85% at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. Participants in both conditions reported significant reductions from baseline in injection and sexual transmission risk behaviors, but there were no significant differences between conditions. Participants in both conditions reported no change in medical care and adherence, and there were no significant differences between conditions. CONCLUSIONS: Both interventions led to decreases in risk behaviors but no changes in medical outcomes. The characteristics of the trial that may have contributed to these results are examined, and directions for future research are identified

OBJECTIVE: To identify modifiable factors associated with health care utilization by HIV-negative seropositive injection drug users (IDUs). METHODS: We analyzed longitudinal data from 966 participants in a randomized controlled trial of a behavioral intervention designed to address medical care, adherence, and risk reduction. The outcomes of this study were usual place for care (clinic vs. emergency room) and frequency of primary care visits. RESULTS: Results of multiple logistic regression analysis showed that increase in 'importance of HIV care scale' score (odds ratio [OR]=2.99; P<0.001), empowerment (OR=3.53; P<0.001), utilization of case management (OR=3.07; P=0.007), and having a stable residence (OR=2.63; P=0.008) were significantly associated with participants being 'clinic users.' Increase in importance of HIV care scale score (OR=5.65; P=0.01) increased empowerment (OR=2.42; P=0.005), taking greater control of one's health (OR=2.17; P=0.001), having health insurance (OR=2.58; P=0.003), utilization of case management (OR=3.14; P=0.027), and CD4 count>or=200 cells/mm (OR=2.09; P=0.007) were significantly associated with reporting 2 or more primary HIV care visits in the past 6 months. CONCLUSIONS: Future interventions for this population may be strengthened by addressing the importance of HIV primary care; empowering participants with respect to the health care system; and promoting linkages to case management, health insurance, and local housing programs

Active injection drug users (IDUs) are at high risk of unsuccessful highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). We sought to identify baseline factors differentiating IDUs' treatment success versus treatment failure over time among those taking HAART. Interventions for Seropositive Injectors-Research and Evaluation (INSPIRE) study participants were assessed at baseline and at 6- and 12-month follow-ups. Multinominal regression determined baseline predictors of achieving or maintaining viral suppression relative to maintaining detectable viral loads over 12 months. Of 199 participants who were retained and remained on HAART, 133 (67%) had viral load change patterns included in the analysis. At follow-up, 66% maintained detectable viral loads and 15% achieved and 19% maintained viral suppression. Results indicated that those having informal care (instrumental or emotional support) were 4.6 times more likely to achieve or maintain viral suppression relative to experiencing treatment failure. Those who maintained viral suppression were 3.5 times less likely to live alone or to report social discomfort in taking HAART. Study results underscore the importance of microsocial factors of social network support, social isolation, and social stigma for successful HAART outcomes among IDUs. The findings suggest that adherence interventions for IDUs should promote existing informal HIV caregiving, living with supportive others, and positive medication-taking norms among social networks

To assess the utility of booster testing and to identify factors associated with a positive booster test, two-step tuberculin testing was performed in drug users recruited from methadone treatment. Participants also received a standardized interview on demographics and testing for HIV and CD4+ lymphocyte count. Of 619 enrollees completing the protocol, 174 (28%) had a positive PPD and 24 of the remaining 445 (5%) had a positive booster test. On multivariate analysis, boosting was associated with older age (adjusted odds ratio [ORadj] 2.38/decade, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.34-4.22), history of using crack cocaine (ORadj 2.61, 95% CI 1.10-6.18) and a history of working as a home health aide (ORadj 4.23, 95% CI 1.39-12.86). Two-step tuberculin skin testing increased the proportion of participants with latent tuberculosis infection from 22% to 25%. Given the effectiveness of chemoprophylaxis, booster testing should be considered when drug users are screened for tuberculosis infection

Drug users are disproportionately affected by hepatitis C virus (HCV), yet they face barriers to health care that place them at risk for levels of HCV-related care that are lower than those of nondrug users. Substance abuse treatment physicians may treat more HCV-infected persons than other generalist physicians, yet little is known about how such physicians facilitate HCV-related care. We conducted a nationwide survey of American Society of Addiction Medicine physicians (n = 320) to determine substance abuse physicians' HCV-related management practices and to describe factors associated with these practices. We found that substance abuse treatment physicians promote several elements of HCV-related care, including screening for HCV antibodies, recommending vaccinations against hepatitis A and B, and referring patients to subspecialists for HCV treatment. Substance abuse physicians who also provide primary medical or HIV-related care were most likely to facilitate HCV-related care. A significant minority of physicians were either providing HCV antiviral treatment or willing to provide HCV antiviral treatment

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is common among methadone-maintained HIV-positive individuals. Pegylated interferon (pegIFN) used in combination with ribavirin is conventional treatment for HCV. However, pegIFN has been associated with adverse effects (AEs) that may simulate opioid withdrawal and be confused with insufficient methadone dosage. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine, using methadone pharmacokinetic properties, whether methadone dosage adjustments are needed on initiation of treatment with pegIFN alfa-2b for HCV in methadone-maintained HIV-positive patients. METHODS: This prospective, nonrandomized, crossover study was conducted at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and Montefiore Medical Center (Bronx, New York). Patients who were aged > or =18 years, coinfected with chronic HCV and HIV, and had been receiving methadone maintenance treatment (dosage, 40-200 mg/d PO) for at least 8 weeks prior to enrollment were eligible. We determined mean methadone C(max), T(max), Cn,in, AUC, and oral clearance (CL/F) values over a 24-hour period before (baseline) and after the administration of pegIFN alfa-2b 1.5 microg/kg SC (2 doses given 1 week apart). To determine differences in opiate withdrawal symptoms, one of the primary investigators administered the Subjective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (SOWS) and Objective Opiate Withdrawal Scale (OOWS) at baseline and 7, 14, and 21 days after the administration of the first dose. Study participants underwent weekly clinical evaluation for signs and symptoms of methadone withdrawal and for AEs of pegIFN. RESULTS: Nine patients were included in the study (7 men, 2 women; 7 Hispanic, 2 black; mean [SD] age, 41 [8.3] years; mean [SD] weight, 75.0 [12.3] kg). We did not observe any significant changes from baseline in mean C(max), T(max), C(min), AUC, and CL/F values despite 80% power to detect a 30% change in either direction. Changes from baseline in SOWS and OOWS scores were not statistically significant. The only AEs reported were mild and consistent with those expected after pegIFN alfa-2b administration, such as inflammation at the injection site and mild, brief, flu-like symptoms. CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this small, prospective, nonrandomized study, pegIFN alfa-2b did not appear to precipitate opioid withdrawal in this sample of methadone-maintained persons with HIV and chronic HCV coinfection; methadone dosage adjustments were unlikely to be needed

BACKGROUND: Individuals infected with non-tuberculous mycobacteria may elicit false-positive reactions on tuberculin skin testing. The QuantiFERON-TB (QFT) assay utilizes tuberculin and M. avium antigens and, therefore, may be more specific for latent tuberculosis infection. The objective of this study was to investigate the agreement between the QFT and single and dual antigen skin testing for detecting latent M. tuberculosis and assess the impact of cross-reactions from latent infection with other mycobacteria in inner-city injection drug users, a population at high risk for tuberculosis. MATERIAL/METHODS: We studied the agreement of results from skin testing using tuberculin and purified protein derivative-Battey (PPD-B) with the QFT test using tuberculin and Mycobacterium avium sensitin (MAS) in 48 HIV-seronegative injection drug users. RESULTS: The agreement between skin testing and the QFT assay for tuberculin was 73% (kappa = 0.45) and for PPD-B/MAS was 63% (kappa = 0.12). Agreement between skin test tuberculin dominance (tuberculin reaction > or =5 mm greater than PPD-B) and QFT tuberculin dominance (proportional difference between MAS and tuberculin reaction of > or =10%) was 75% (kappa = 0.53). All subjects tuberculin dominant by skin test were also QFT positive for tuberculin. Agreement between skin test Battey dominance and QFT avium dominance was 83% (kappa = 0.12). CONCLUSIONS: Results from the QFT assay and skin testing demonstrated moderate concordance in identifying subjects with latent tuberculous infection, and use of dual antigens did not appreciably improve the agreement between the two methods