Recreational drug use among individuals living with HIV in Europe

Background: Adherence problems, interactions and higher rate of risk activities have been observed in HIV individuals using recreational drugs. Our aim was to describe recreational drug use in both HIV individuals and general population in Europe, and to assess at what extent HIV guidelines address...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Garin, Noe|||0000-0002-1559-9453, Velasco, Cesar, De Pourcq, Jan T.|||0000-0002-9024-1072, Lopez, Belen, Gutiérrez Macià, Mª Del Mar, Haro Abad, Josep Maria|||0000-0002-3984-277X, Feliu Ribera, Anna|||0000-0003-2074-2231, Mangues, Ma Antonia|||0000-0002-1438-8515, Trilla, Antoni
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2015
País:España
Institución:Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
Repositorio:Dipòsit Digital de Documents de la UAB
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:ddd.uab.cat:185388
Acceso en línea:https://ddd.uab.cat/record/185388
https://dx.doi.org/urn:doi:10.3389/fmicb.2015.00690
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Recreational drugs
HIV
Prevalence
Guidelines
Recommendations
Interactions
Medication adherence
Transmission risk
Descripción
Sumario:Background: Adherence problems, interactions and higher rate of risk activities have been observed in HIV individuals using recreational drugs. Our aim was to describe recreational drug use in both HIV individuals and general population in Europe, and to assess at what extent HIV guidelines address this issue. Methods: Data on recreational drug use across Europe were obtained from the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction for the general population, and through Pubmed search. for HIV patients. We assessed the incorporation of recreational drug issues in HIV treatment guidelines for the following topics: (a) recreational drugs; (b) adherence to antiretrovirals; (c) interactions; (d) transmission risk. Guidelines included: World Health Organization; European Aids Clinical Society; U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; International Antiviral Society-USA; and seven European national guidelines. Results: 29 countries reported recreational drug use in general population. The highest prevalences were observed for Cannabis (i.e., 8-10% in Spain, France, and Czech Republic) followed by cocaine, amphetamines and ecstasy. The 13 studies selected in the systematic review showed a great variability in recreational drug use on the HIV population. Apart from classical recreational drugs, we found a relevant use of new drugs including sexual experience enhancers. Polydrug consumption was about 50% in some studies. Most guidelines included general information about recreational drugs, showing great variability on the inclusion of the evaluated topics. We found more specific, evidence-based recommendations on interactions, followed by medication adherence and transmission risk. Conclusions: Available data on the people living with HIV suggest a higher use of recreational drugs than in the general population, which is already relevant. However, recreational drug issues should be included or addressed more thoroughly in most guidelines.