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Veldhuis CB, Kreski NT, Usseglio J, Keyes KM. Are Cisgender Women and Transgender and Nonbinary People Drinking More During the COVID-19 Pandemic? It Depends. Alcohol Res 2023; 43:05. [PMID: 38170029 PMCID: PMC10760999 DOI: 10.35946/arcr.v43.1.05] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This narrative review of research conducted during the first 2 years of the COVID-19 pandemic examines whether alcohol use among cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people increased during the pandemic. The overarching goal of the review is to inform intervention and prevention efforts to halt the narrowing of gender-related differences in alcohol use. SEARCH METHODS Eight databases (PubMed, APA PsycInfo, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Gender Studies Database, GenderWatch, and Web of Science) were searched for peer-reviewed literature, published between March 2020 and July 2022, that reported gender differences or findings specific to women, transgender or nonbinary people, and alcohol use during the pandemic. The search focused on studies conducted in the United States and excluded qualitative research. SEARCH RESULTS A total 4,132 records were identified, including 400 duplicates. Of the remaining 3,732 unique records for consideration in the review, 51 were ultimately included. Overall, most studies found increases in alcohol use as well as gender differences in alcohol use, with cisgender women experiencing the most serious consequences. The findings for transgender and nonbinary people were equivocal due to the dearth of research and because many studies aggregated across gender. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSIONS Alcohol use by cisgender women seems to have increased during the pandemic; however, sizable limitations need to be considered, particularly the low number of studies on alcohol use during the pandemic that analyzed gender differences. This is of concern as gender differences in alcohol use had been narrowing before the pandemic; and this review suggests the gap has narrowed even further. Cisgender women and transgender and nonbinary people have experienced sizable stressors during the pandemic; thus, understanding the health and health behavior impacts of these stressors is critical to preventing the worsening of problematic alcohol use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cindy B Veldhuis
- Department of Medical Social Sciences, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois
| | - Noah T Kreski
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - John Usseglio
- Augustus C. Long Health Sciences Library, Columbia Irving Medical Center, Columbia University, New York, New York
| | - Katherine M Keyes
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, New York
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Mehra K, Rup J, Wiese JL, Watson TM, Bonato S, Rueda S. Changes in self-reported cannabis use during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:2139. [PMID: 37915021 PMCID: PMC10621278 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-17068-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/26/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic is affecting mental health and substance use (MHSU) issues worldwide. The purpose of this study was to characterize the literature on changes in cannabis use during the pandemic and the factors associated with such changes. METHODS We conducted a scoping review by searching peer-reviewed databases and grey literature from January 2020 to May 2022 using the Arksey and O'Malley Framework. Two independent reviewers screened a total of 4235 documents. We extracted data from 129 documents onto a data extraction form and collated results using content analytical techniques. RESULTS Nearly half (48%) of the studies reported an increase/initiation of cannabis use, while 36% studies reported no change, and 16% reported a decrease/cessation of cannabis use during the pandemic. Factors associated with increased cannabis use included socio-demographic factors (e.g., younger age), health related factors (e.g., increased symptom burden), MHSU factors (e.g., anxiety, depression), pandemic-specific reactions (e.g., stress, boredom, social isolation), cannabis-related factors (e.g., dependence), and policy-related factors (e.g., legalization of medical/recreational cannabis). CONCLUSION Public health emergencies like the COVID-19 pandemic have the potential to significantly impact cannabis use. The pandemic has placed urgency on improving coping mechanisms and supports that help populations adapt to major and sudden life changes. To better prepare health care systems for future pandemics, wide-reaching education on how pandemic-related change impacts cannabis use is needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamna Mehra
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jennifer Rup
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Jessica L Wiese
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada
| | - Tara Marie Watson
- Department of Family and Community Medicine, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 500 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 1V7, Canada
| | - Sarah Bonato
- Library Services, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada
| | - Sergio Rueda
- Institute for Mental Health Policy Research, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 33 Ursula Franklin Street, Toronto, ON, M5S 2S1, Canada.
- Campbell Family Mental Health Research Institute, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 250 College Street, Toronto, ON, M5T 1R8, Canada.
- Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, 1 King's College Circle, Toronto, ON, M5S 1A1, Canada.
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Vásquez E, Kuniholm MH, Appleton AA, Rubin LH, Adimora AA, Fischl MA, Fox E, Mack WJ, Holman S, Moran CA, Minkoff H, Plankey MW, Sharma A, Tien PC, Weber KM, Gustafson DR. Midlife body mass index, central adiposity and neuropsychological performance over 10 years in women living with and without HIV. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne) 2023; 14:1108313. [PMID: 37484940 PMCID: PMC10361616 DOI: 10.3389/fendo.2023.1108313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Background and objective Observations of overweight and obesity in association with neuropsychological performance (NP) vary over the adult life course depending on baseline levels, biological sex, age, race, temporality of measurements, and other factors. Therefore, similar published analyses across cohorts are inconsistent. In our sample of women living with HIV (WLWH) and women without HIV (WWOH), we conducted comparable analyses as those published in men with and without HIV. We examined cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) and NP. Methods Four hundred thirty two 432 virologically-suppressed WLWH and 367 WWOH, ≥40 years in the Women's Interagency HIV Study (WIHS) with anthropometry and NP assessments every two years from 2009-2019 were included in the study. Demographically-adjusted T-scores were calculated for six NP domains: learning, memory, executive function, processing speed, attention and working memory, and motor function. Multivariable linear regression models stratified by HIV status were used to examine cross-sectional associations of BMI and WC by NP domain; repeated measures analyses assessed baseline BMI and WC in association with longitudinal change in NP. Covariates included sociodemographic, behavioral, and HIV-related characteristics. Results At baseline among all women, the median age was 45 years, 65% were Non-Latinx Black women, and 45% were obese women. Obese WLWH (BMI≥30.0 kg/m2) had poorer executive function (β=-2.27, 95%CI [-4.46, -0.07]) versus WLWH with healthy BMI (18.5-24.9 kg/m2). Longitudinally over ~8 years, obese versus overweight WWOH improved on memory (β=2.19, 95%CI [0.13, 4.26]), however overweight versus healthy WWOH experienced declining memory (β= -2.67, 95%CI [-5.40, -0.07]). Increasing WC was associated with declining executive, processing speed, and motor function (p's<0.05); an at-risk WC was associated with improved memory (β=1.81, 95%CI [0.19, 3.44]) among WWOH. Among WLWH, increasing BMI was associated with improved learning (β=0.07, 95%CI [0.00, 0.15]. Conclusion Our cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses evaluating the associations of BMI and WC and NP were mixed compared to previous reports. This illustrates the importance of sociodemographic characteristics, baseline levels of exposures and outcomes, HIV status, temporality of measurements, and other factors when evaluating aging HIV epidemiology study results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Vásquez
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Mark H. Kuniholm
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Allison A. Appleton
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, University at Albany School of Public Health State University of New York, Rensselaer, NY, United States
| | - Leah H. Rubin
- Department of Neurology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department of Psychology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
- Department Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Ada A. Adimora
- Department of Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
- Department of Epidemiology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States
| | - Margaret A. Fischl
- Department of Medicine, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL, United States
| | - Ervin Fox
- Department of Medicine, University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS, United States
| | - Wendy J. Mack
- Population and Public Health Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, United States
| | - Susan Holman
- Department of Medicine/STAR Program, State University of New York Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Caitlin Anne Moran
- Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, United States
- Grady Healthcare System, Infectious Diseases Program, Atlanta, United States
| | - Howard Minkoff
- Department of Neurology, State of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
| | - Michael W. Plankey
- Department of Medicine, Georgetown University, Washington, DC, United States
| | - Anjali Sharma
- Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, United States
| | - Phyllis C. Tien
- Department of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, United States
- Department of Veterans Affairs, San Francisco, CA, United States
| | - Kathleen M. Weber
- Cook County Health/Hektoen Institute of Medicine, Chicago, IL, United States
| | - Deborah R. Gustafson
- Department of Neurology, State of New York Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY, United States
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Parisi CE, Wang Y, Varma DS, Vaddiparti K, Ibañez GE, Carrillo LC, Cook RL. Changes in frequency of cannabis use among people with HIV during the COVID-19 pandemic: a multi-methods study to explore the underlying reasons for change. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF DRUG AND ALCOHOL ABUSE 2023; 49:470-480. [PMID: 36898081 PMCID: PMC10695005 DOI: 10.1080/00952990.2023.2176234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 01/24/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2023] [Indexed: 03/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: People with HIV (PWH) report higher rates of cannabis use than the general population. It is unclear how cannabis use among PWH has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and the implications for the health and wellbeing of PWH.Objectives: To describe changes in frequency of cannabis use among a sample of PWH during the pandemic, reasons for those changes, and implications of the findings.Methods: The data are cross-sectional and come from questions asked in a follow-up phone survey administered to a prospective cohort of PWH in Florida between May 2020 and March 2021. Participants who used cannabis were asked about changes in their frequency of cannabis use in a quantitative survey and reasons for changes in a qualitative open-ended question. Qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis.Results: Among 227 PWH (mean age 50, 50% men, 69% Black/African American, 14% Hispanic/Latino), 13% decreased frequency of cannabis, 11% increased frequency, and 76% reported no change. The most common reasons for increasing frequency of cannabis use were reducing anxiety/stress, trying to relax, coping with grief or reducing symptoms of depression, and reducing boredom during the pandemic. Supply or access issues, health concerns, and having already wanted to reduce cannabis use were common reasons for decreased frequency.Conclusion: Nearly 25% of the sample changed their cannabis use frequency during the pandemic. These findings shed light on the behaviors and motivations of PWH who use cannabis and can inform clinical practice and interventions during public health emergencies and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yan Wang
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | - Deepthi S. Varma
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
| | | | - Gladys E. Ibañez
- Department of Epidemiology, Florida International University, Miami, FL USA
| | | | - Robert L. Cook
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL USA
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Lea AN, Levine TM, Davy-Mendez T, Leibowitz A, Altschuler A, Flamm J, Hare CB, N Luu M, Silverberg MJ, Satre DD. Mental health and substance use screening in HIV primary care before and during the early COVID-19 pandemic. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:494. [PMID: 37194051 PMCID: PMC10186313 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09477-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/18/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mental health and substance use disorders disproportionately affect people with HIV (PWH), and may have been exacerbated during COVID-19. The Promoting Access to Care Engagement (PACE) trial was designed to assess the effectiveness of electronic screening for mental health and substance use in HIV primary care and enrolled PWH from October 2018 to July 2020. Our objective here was to compare screening rates and results for PWH before (October 2018 - February 2020) and early in the COVID-19 pandemic (March-July 2020). METHODS Adult (≥ 18 years) PWH from 3 large HIV primary care clinics in a US-based integrated healthcare system were offered electronic screening online or via in-clinic tablet computer every 6 months. Screening completion and results (for depression, suicidal ideation, anxiety, and substance use) were analyzed using logistic regression with generalized estimating equations to estimate prevalence ratios (PR) before and after the start of the regional COVID-19 shelter-in-place orders on March 17, 2020. Models adjusted for demographics (age, sex, race/ethnicity), HIV risk factors (men who have sex with men, injection drug use, heterosexual, other), medical center, and modality of screening completion (online or tablet). We conducted qualitative interviews with providers participating in the intervention to evaluate how the pandemic impacted patient care. RESULTS Of 8,954 eligible visits, 3,904 completed screenings (420 during COVID, 3,484 pre-COVID), with lower overall completion rates during COVID (38% vs. 44%). Patients completing screening during COVID were more likely to be White (63% vs. 55%), male (94% vs. 90%), and MSM (80% vs., 75%). Adjusted PRs comparing COVID and pre-COVID (reference) were 0.70 (95% CI), 0.92 (95% CI), and 0.54 (95% CI) for tobacco use, any substance use, and suicidal ideation, respectively. No significant differences were found by era for depression, anxiety, alcohol, or cannabis use. These results were in contrast to provider-reported impressions of increases in substance use and mental health symptoms. CONCLUSION Findings suggest PWH had modest declines in screening rates early in the COVID-19 pandemic which may have been affected by the shift to telemedicine. There was no evidence that mental health problems and substance use increased for PWH in primary care. TRIAL REGISTRATION NCT03217058 (First registration date: 7/13/2017); https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03217058.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra N Lea
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA.
| | - Tory M Levine
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Thibaut Davy-Mendez
- University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | - Amy Leibowitz
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Andrea Altschuler
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | - Jason Flamm
- Sacramento Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - C Bradley Hare
- San Francisco Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Mitchell N Luu
- Oakland Medical Center, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
| | | | - Derek D Satre
- Division of Research, Kaiser Permanente Northern California, Oakland, CA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
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Hong C, Queiroz A, Hoskin J. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health, associated factors and coping strategies in people living with HIV: a scoping review. J Int AIDS Soc 2023; 26:e26060. [PMID: 36912238 PMCID: PMC10009802 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.26060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/19/2023] [Indexed: 03/14/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic and associated measures implemented by authorities have created additional stressors and increased the risk of psychological illnesses among people living with HIV (PLWH). Yet, there is no collective evidence on the mental health status of this population during the global pandemic and associated factors. This scoping review aimed to synthesize the evidence in the current literature related to the mental health outcomes and challenges faced by PLWH during the COVID-19 pandemic, identify the associated factors with psychological distress and summarize various coping strategies to ease these psychological distresses used by this population. METHODS We conducted a scoping review following the PRISMA-ScR guideline and a literature search in four electronic databases in August 2022. Three reviewers independently screened all the search records and extracted the data from studies that met the inclusion criteria. Factors associated with worsened mental health outcomes were synthesized according to the socio-ecological framework. RESULTS Among 1100 research records, 45 articles met the eligibility criteria and were included in the final review and data extraction, most of which were quantitative analyses. PLWH reported high rates of mental health problems during the pandemic. Multi-level factors were associated with increased psychological distress, including substance use, antiretroviral adherence, social support, financial hardship and economic vulnerability during the pandemic. PLWH used social media as a coping strategy to foster social support to deal with growing mental distress. Increased mental health illnesses were associated with increased substance use, it was also found associated with suboptimal medication adherence and antiretroviral therapy (ART) care engagement. DISCUSSION PLWH experienced high rates of mental health illnesses, such as depression during the global COVID-19 pandemic. There is an urgent need to provide comprehensive HIV treatment and mental health services as the pandemic continues to evolve. CONCLUSIONS The review summarized how the mental health of PLWH was affected during the COVID-19 pandemic. Future work in the implementation of effective interventions to promote mental health in this population is needed, not only to ensure their quality of life but also to help them maintain ART adherence and healthcare during more unprecedented times.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenglin Hong
- Department of Social Welfare, UCLA Luskin School of Public Affairs, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Artur Queiroz
- Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Jordan Hoskin
- State of California Department of Rehabilitation, Los Angeles, California, USA
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Perello R, Losada A, Chen Qin J, Supervia A, Salgado E, Smithson A, Xipell M, Inciarte A, Vallecillo G. Amphetamine-related intoxications in people living with HIV: An observational study in an emergency department in Barcelona (Spain) from 2018 to 2020. HIV Med 2023; 24:260-266. [PMID: 35945158 DOI: 10.1111/hiv.13365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Stimulant drugs, particularly amphetamines, are more commonly implicated in drug-related deaths in people living with HIV; however, the clinical characteristics of amphetamine-related intoxication in people living with HIV are poorly described. MATERIAL AND METHODS We conducted a retrospective study in people living with HIV who were admitted for amphetamine-related intoxication to an emergency department of a teaching hospital between 2018 and 2021. Severe intoxication (SI) was arbitrarily defined as requiring admission to the emergency medical support unit and receiving medical treatment for ≥6 h. RESULTS In total, 170 male patients with a median age of 36.2 + 7.5 years were included in the study. A total of 77 (45.3%) individuals had mental disorders, and 120 (85.7%) had HIV-1 RNA suppression, with a median CD4 cell count of 696 (interquartile range 490-905). In total, 61 (37.9%) individuals were on ritonavir/cobicistat-based regimens. Presenting clinical syndromes included agitation in 60 (35.3%) subjects, anxiety in 37 (21.7%), psychosis in 27 (15.8%), chest pain in 26 (15.3%) and altered level of consciousness in 20 (11.7%). SI was observed in 48 (28.2%) individuals, 12 (7.1%) required admission to the intensive care unit, and two (1.2%) died. Altered level of consciousness (odds ratio [OR] 6.5; 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.2-18.9; p < 0.01), psychosis (OR 5.8; 95% CI 2.2-15.1; p < 0.01) and suicide attempt (OR 4.6; 95% CI 1.8-11.6; p 0.01) were associated with SI in the adjusted analysis. CONCLUSIONS Amphetamine-related intoxication causes high morbidity in people living with HIV. Healthcare providers serving these patients should consider incorporating harm-reduction measures in the prevention of amphetamine-related intoxication.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Alex Smithson
- Emergency Department, Fundació Esperit Sant, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Marc Xipell
- Emergency Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Alexis Inciarte
- Infectious Diseases Department, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Gabriel Vallecillo
- Drug addiction Unit, Hospital del Mar, Parc de Salut Mar Consortium, Barcelona, Spain
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Bonnet U, Specka M, Roser P, Scherbaum N. Cannabis use, abuse and dependence during the COVID-19 pandemic: a scoping review. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:7-18. [PMID: 36346483 PMCID: PMC9641691 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-022-02564-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The interaction between cannabis use or addiction and SARS-COV-2 infection rates and COVID-19 outcomes is obscure. As of 08/01/2022 among 57 evaluated epidemiological/clinical studies found in Pubmed-database, most evidence for how cannabis use patterns were influenced by the pandemic was given by two systematic reviews and 17 prospective studies, mostly involving adolescents. In this age group, cannabis use patterns have not changed markedly. For adults, several cross-sectional studies reported mixed results with cannabis use having increased, decreased or remained unchanged. Two cross-sectional studies demonstrated that the severity of adults´ cannabis dependence was either increased as a consequence of increasing cannabis use during the pandemic or not changed. Regarding the effect of cannabis use on COVID-19 outcomes, we found only five retrospective/cross-sectional studies. Accordingly, (i) cannabis use did not impact mild COVID-19 symptoms; (ii) cannabis using individuals experienced more COVID-19-related hospitalizations; (iii) cannabis using veterans were associated with reduced SARS-COV-2 infection rates; (iv) frequent cannabis use was significantly associated with COVID-19 mortality, and (v) cannabis dependents were at higher risk of COVID-19 breakthrough after vaccination. It should be outlined that the validity of these retrospective/cross-sectional studies (all self-reports or register/e-health-records) is rather low. Future prospective studies on the effects of cannabis use on SARS-COV-2 infection rates and COVID-19 outcomes are clearly required for conclusive risk-benefit assessments of the role of cannabis on users' health during the pandemic. Moreover, substance dependence (including cannabis) is associated with (often untreated) somatic comorbidity, which severity is a proven key risk factor for worse COVID-19 outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udo Bonnet
- Department of Psychiatry, Psychotherapy and Psychosomatic Medicine, Evangelisches Krankenhaus Castrop-Rauxel, Academic Teaching Hospital, University of Duisburg-Essen, Grutholzallee 21, 44577 Castrop-Rauxel, Germany ,Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Michael Specka
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Patrik Roser
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
| | - Norbert Scherbaum
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, Faculty of Medicine, LVR-Hospital Essen, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany
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Chandler R, Varthakavi V. Understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on substance use and HIV. Drug Alcohol Depend 2022; 241:109688. [PMID: 36371282 PMCID: PMC9636599 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2022.109688] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Redonna Chandler
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), HIV Research Program (HRP), 11601 Landsdown Street, 3WFN RM 09D02, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
| | - Vasundhara Varthakavi
- National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), HIV Research Program (HRP), 11601 Landsdown Street, 3WFN RM 09D02, Rockville, MD 20852, United States.
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