title: Incarceration predicts virologic failure for HIV-infected injection drug users receiving antiretroviral therapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Incarceration may lead to interruptions in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for persons receiving treatment for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. We assessed whether incarceration and subsequent release were associated with virologic failure for injection drug users (IDUs) who were previously successfully treated with ART.
  
  
  METHODS
  ALIVE is a prospective, community-based cohort study of IDUs in Baltimore, Maryland. IDUs receiving ART during 1998-2009 who successfully achieved an HIV RNA level below the limit of detection (<400 copies/mL) were followed up for development of virologic failure at the subsequent semiannual study visit. Logistic regression with generalized estimating equations was used to assess whether incarceration was independently associated with virologic failure.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of 437 HIV-infected IDUs who achieved undetectable HIV RNA for at least one study visit, 69% were male, 95% were African-American, and 40% reported at least one incarceration during follow-up. Virologic failure occurred at 26.3% of visits after a median of 6 months since achieving undetectable HIV RNA. In multivariate analysis accounting for demographic characteristics, drug use, and HIV disease stage, brief incarceration was strongly associated with virologic failure (adjusted odds ratio, 7.7; 95% confidence interval, 3.0-19.7), although incarceration lasting >30 days was not (odds ratio, 1.4; 95% confidence interval, .8-2.6).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Among IDUs achieving viral suppression while receiving ART, virologic failure occurred with high frequency and was strongly associated with brief incarceration. Efforts should be made to ensure continuity of care both during and after incarceration to improve treatment outcomes and prevent viral resistance in this vulnerable population.
authors: Department of Medicine, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA. rpw@medicine.wisc.edu
authors: Ryan P
authors: RP
authors: Westergaard
authors: Gregory D
authors: GD
authors: Kirk
authors: Douglas R
authors: DR
authors: Richesson
authors: Noya
authors: N
authors: Galai
authors: Shruti H
authors: SH
authors: Mehta
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D015142:Baltimore; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011329:Prisoners; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012367:RNA, Viral / Q000097:blood; D015819:Substance Abuse, Intravenous / Q000150:complications*; D017211:Treatment Failure; D019562:Viral Load
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D012367:RNA, Viral