Alcohol consumption as a cofactor in the progression of HIV infection and AIDS.
Alcohol consumption as a cofactor in the progression of HIV infection was examined in 1,446 homosexual and bisexual HIV + men enrolled in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study who had a minimum of three visits. Two measures of drinking were employed: initial level, and pattern during the study period. Outcome measures included AIDS-related symptoms and AIDS diagnosis. Level of drinking at entry to the study was not significantly associated with either AIDS-related symptoms at final visit or with AIDS diagnosis. However, men who decreased drinking were more likely to report thrush, fatigue, weight loss, and diarrhea at their final visit. Most likely, these men decreased drinking as a result of failing health, not because their drinking pattern influenced symptom onset. These data support earlier reports that found no relationship between alcohol consumption and progression to AIDS.
Penkower
L
L
Department of Family Medicine and Clinical Epidemiology, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA.
Dew
M A
MA
Kingsley
L
L
Zhou
S Y
SY
Lyketsos
C G
CG
Wesch
J
J
Senterfitt
J W
JW
Hoover
D R
DR
Becker
J T
JT
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D018450:Disease Progression; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male