Evaluating Cross-Sectional Associations Between Cannabis Use and Prospective Memory in People with HIV

Prospective memory (PM) deficits are common among people with HIV (PWH) and are linked to poor clinical outcomes. Risk factors for PM deficits in PWH are poorly understood. While cannabis use is associated with worse PM in people without HIV, it is unclear whether this association generalizes to PWH. Three hundred and seven PWH (79% with regular cannabis use) completed the Memory for Intentions Test (MIST). Associations between regular use (vs. no/minimal lifetime use) and MIST score were evaluated. Among participants with regular use, bivariate associations were evaluated between MIST score and self-reported cumulative 30-day THC dose, use frequency, duration of heaviest lifetime use, age of first use, and use motivation (predominantly-recreational, predominantly-therapeutic, or combined). Confounding was addressed with linear regressions adjusted for age and Wechsler Test of Adult Reading. Cannabis use (vs. non-use) was not significantly associated with MIST score in unadjusted or adjusted models (β = - 0.04, 95% CI = - 0.29, 0.21, p = 0.74). After confounder adjustment, no associations between cannabis variables and MIST score reached statistical significance. The largest (albeit nonsignificant) effect in adjusted models was found for use motivation: participants with combined use showed better MIST performance vs. predominantly-recreational use (β = 0.28, 95% - 0.02, 0.57, p = 0.067). Participants reporting predominantly-therapeutic use vs. predominantly-recreational use performed similarly (β = 0.03, 95% CI = - 0.30, 0.37, p = 0.85). PM was not significantly associated with cannabis use in PWH. Associations between motivation for use and PM in PWH warrant further investigation.