Prevalence and correlates of anergy among drug users in Puerto Rico.
OBJECTIVE
This study assessed prevalence and correlates of anergy among a cohort of drug users in communities in the San Juan metropolitan area.


METHODS
In all, 719 drug injectors and crack users were recruited in neighbourhoods in the San Juan metropolitan area following a stratified cluster design of 30 copping areas (places where drugs are sold).


RESULTS
Slightly more than one-third of the total proportion of participants, 34.2%, were HIV positive and 30.3% anergic. Subjects with a history of incarceration, the HIV positive, and those reporting chronic illness were more likely to be anergic than those subjects without these characteristics.


CONCLUSIONS
Most studies addressing drug users' immune system dysfunction are related to HIV infection. Additional studies are needed to provide a more comprehensive understanding of drug users' immune systems.
Center for Addiction Studies, Universidad Central del Caribe, Bayamón, Puerto Rico 00960-6032.
R R
RR
Robles
J C
JC
Reyes
H M
HM
Colón
T D
TD
Matos
L
L
Vilá Pérez
C A
CA
Marrero
D000328:Adult; D017635:Clonal Anergy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011647:Puerto Rico / Q000453:epidemiology; D016036:Seroepidemiologic Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000276:immunology*