Time to initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected injection drug users

Studies have shown that HIV-infected injection drug users (IDUs) are less likely to receive antiretroviral therapy than non-drug users. We assess factors associated with initiating highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in HIV-infected IDUs.

A cohort study of IDUs carried out between 1 January 1996 and 30 June 1999 at a community-based study clinic affiliated to the Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland. The participants were a total of 528 HIV-infected IDUs eligible for HAART based on CD4+ cell count. The main outcome measure was the time from treatment eligibility to first self-reported HAART use, as defined by the International AIDS Society-USA panel (IAS-USA) guidelines.

By 30 June 1999, 58.5% of participants had initiated HAART, most of whom switched from mono- or dual-combination therapy to a HAART regimen. Nearly one-third of treatment-eligible IDUs never received antiretroviral therapy. Cox proportional hazards regression showed that initiating HAART was independently associated with not injecting drugs, methadone treatment among men, having health insurance and a regular source of care, lower CD4+ cell count and a history of antiretroviral therapy.

Self-reported initiation of HAART is steadily increasing among IDUs who are eligible for treatment; however, a large proportion continues to use non-HAART regimens and many remain treatment-naive. Although both groups appear to have lower health care access and utilization, IDUs without a history of antiretroviral therapy use would have more treatment options available to them once they become engaged in HIV care.