Alcohol consumption in HIV-I infected persons: a study of immunological markers, Harare, Zimbabwe.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the effect of alcohol use in relation to the age, gender and plasma levels of HIV-I RNA and CD4 cells count in HIV-I infected persons as a prognostic indicator for the disease progression to AIDS.


METHODS
A community based cohort study.


METHODS
The study was conducted at the Blair Research Institute Clinic from June 1996 to May 1998.


METHODS
We interviewed 105 volunteers, at a baseline and then followed them up on a three monthly basis. They underwent physical examinations and had blood drawn for laboratory tests. AUDIT Core was used to gain an indication of how much dependence there was on alcohol by patients in relation to demographic and immunological variables.


METHODS
Frequency of alcohol use and HIV-I disease progression to AIDS using viral loads and CD4 cells counts as measures of immune impairment.


RESULTS
The volunteers had a mean (s d) age of 34.9 (7.3) years. Prevalence of alcohol use was 30.5% (n = 34.95% CI = 21.7 to 39.3). Most of the patients with CD4 cells count less than 200 mm3 did not use alcohol (p = 0.023) by the six months follow ups. There were no significant mean differences between users and nonusers of alcohol regarding the levels of both plasma viremia and CD4 cells count.


CONCLUSIONS
Our finding is consistent with previous findings that found no relationship between alcohol use in persons with HIV-I infection and progression of disease to AIDS.
Chandiwana
S K
SK
Blair Research Institute, Harare.
Sebit
M B
MB
Latif
A S
AS
Gomo
E
E
Acuda
S W
SW
Makoni
F
F
Vushe
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology*; D015497:HIV-1; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D019562:Viral Load; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology