Neurocognitive impairment and medication adherence in HIV patients with and without cocaine dependence.

Journal Article (Journal Article)

Cocaine abuse among HIV patients is associated with faster disease progression and mortality. This study examined the relationship between neurocognitive functioning and medication adherence in HIV patients with (n = 25) and without (n = 39) current cocaine dependence. Active users had greater neurocognitive impairment (mean T-score = 35.16 vs. 40.97, p < .05) and worse medication adherence (mean z-score = -0.44 vs. 0.27, p < .001). In a multiple regression model, neurocognitive functioning (β = .33, p < .01) and cocaine dependence (β = -.36, p < .01) were predictive of poorer adherence. There was a significant indirect effect of cocaine dependence on medication adherence through neurocognitive impairment (estimate = -0.15, p < .05), suggesting that neurocognitive impairment partially mediated the relationship between cocaine dependence and poorer adherence. These results confirm that cocaine users are at high risk for poor HIV outcomes and underscore the importance of treating both neurocognitive impairment and cocaine dependence among HIV patients.

Full Text

Duke Authors

Cited Authors

  • Meade, CS; Conn, NA; Skalski, LM; Safren, SA

Published Date

  • April 2011

Published In

Volume / Issue

  • 34 / 2

Start / End Page

  • 128 - 138

PubMed ID

  • 20857187

Pubmed Central ID

  • PMC3049963

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1573-3521

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1007/s10865-010-9293-5

Language

  • eng

Conference Location

  • United States