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The Association Between Marijuana Use and HIV Continuum of Care Outcomes: a Systematic Review

  • Behavioral Bio-Medical Interface (JL Brown and RJ DiClemente, Section Editors)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Approximately 77% of HIV-infected adults report lifetime marijuana use. Given the high rates and social acceptability of marijuana use among HIV-infected individuals, it is important to gain a stronger understanding of if, and how, marijuana impacts HIV care cascade outcomes. The purpose of this study is to systematically review recent articles that assess the relationship between marijuana use and HIV continuum of care outcomes.

Recent Findings

One hundred and ninety articles from PubMed were considered for inclusion, and 15 were included in the review. The studies focus on marijuana use among HIV-infected individuals aware of their serostatus (k = 4), individuals engaged in treatment (k = 1), marijuana use in association with adherence to antiretroviral medications (k = 6), and marijuana use in relation to multiple stages of the HIV care cascade (k = 4). Preliminary findings from the small number of studies revealed an association between marijuana use, especially current heavy use, and HIV seropositivity. However, results from studies assessing marijuana use and treatment engagement and adherence to antiretroviral medications were inconsistent and inconclusive.

Summary

Additional research is needed to assess the nuanced relationship between marijuana use and HIV continuum of care outcomes, especially among subgroups of HIV-infected individuals, such as men who have sex with men and young adults.

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Funding

Effort for this project was supported by NIDA K23DA042130 (PI Montgomery) and NIDA R25DA035163 (Co-PIs Masson & Sorensen).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Addiction Sciences Division, Department of Psychiatry & Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, 3131 Harvey Avenue, Suite 104, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA

    LaTrice Montgomery & Jennifer L. Brown

  2. Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego, 9500 Gilman Dr, MC 0405, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA

    Kara Bagot

  3. Division of Prevention and Community Research, Yale School of Medicine, The Consultation Center, 389 Whitney Avenue, New Haven, CT, 06511, USA

    Angela M. Haeny

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  1. LaTrice Montgomery
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  2. Kara Bagot
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Correspondence to LaTrice Montgomery.

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Montgomery, L., Bagot, K., Brown, J.L. et al. The Association Between Marijuana Use and HIV Continuum of Care Outcomes: a Systematic Review. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep 16, 17–28 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11904-019-00422-z

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