AIDS alcohol consumption reduces the chances of viral suppression

Alcohol consumption by people infected with HIV reduces adherence and reduces the chance of viral suppression, according to a U.S. study published in the Journal of Aids.

Despite the 8% of alcoholics among HIV (HIV +) and the influence of alcohol on adherence, "its effect on HIV infection was overshadowed by that of illegal drugs," consider Geetanjali Chander , of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine in Baltimore (Maryland), and his colleagues, who point out that the two substances have frequently been analyzed in combination, and the masking effect of the alcohol itself.

The researchers conducted their study of 1,957 HIV +, he emerged during interviews that 10.7% had an "excessive" alcohol consumption (more than 14 drinks per week for men, more than seven for a woman or more than four per outing, against more than three for women).

More than a third (35.1%) of these people consume moderately, while others (54.2%) say they do not drink.

In addition, 32.6% admit to having used drugs in the past six months, including heroin or cocaine in 75% of cases.

Regardless of drugs, alcohol is linked to lower adherence, and whatever the dose. Excessive consumption reduced by 54% the chances of good compliance, or more significantly the drug (45%), while moderate consumption diminishes by 22%.

The drink also affects the virologic response of the patient, with chances of achieving viral suppression (load below 400 copies / ml) reduced by 25% against 38% for the drug. Moderate consumption of alcohol causes about it no detectable effect.

"The effects of excessive alcohol consumption are similar to those of illegal drugs. This highlights the importance of testing not only the addiction, but also of alcoholism among people with HIV," they think.

Any adherence "seems to be the link between alcohol consumption and lack of viral suppression," they suggest. They do not, however, rule out the possibility of a direct effect of alcohol on the replication of the virus, demonstrated in studies in monkeys.