Recreational drug use among individuals living with HIV in Europe: Review of the prevalence, comparison with the general population and HIV guidelines recommendations

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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Bibliographic Details
Authors: Garin N., Velasco C., de Pourcq J.T., Lopez B., del Mar Gutierrez M., Haro J.M., Feliu A., Mangues M.A., Trilla A.
Format: article
Status:Published version
Publication Date:2015
Country:España
Institution:Institut d’Investigació Biomèdica Sant Pau (IIB Sant Pau)
Repository:r-IIB SANT PAU. Repositorio Institucional de Producción Científica del Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Sant Pau
OAI Identifier:oai:iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com:p10521
Online Access:https://iibsantpau.fundanetsuite.com/Publicaciones/ProdCientif/PublicacionFrw.aspx?id=10521
http://ddd.uab.cat/record/185388
Access Level:Open access
Keyword:3,4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine
4 hydroxybutyric acid
4' methylmethcathinone
amphetamine
atazanavir
cannabis
cocaine
ketamine
recreational drug
Article
cardiovascular risk
cognitive defect
disease re-emergence
drug use
human
Human immunodeficiency virus infection
immune adherence
medication compliance
mental health
prevalence
sexual dysfunction
Cannabis
Description
Summary: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. © 2015 Garin, Velasco, De_pourcq, Lopez, Gutierrez, Haro, Feliu, Mangues and Trilla.