Factors associated with suicidal ideation among people with HIV engaged in care.

BACKGROUND: People with HIV (PWH) are at elevated risk for suicidal ideation (SI), yet few studies have examined how substance use, clinical and sociodemographic factors are associated with SI among PWH. METHOD: We used substance use (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription Medication, and Other Substance Use [TAPS]) and depression (PHQ-9) data from computerized screening of adult PWH in primary care clinics in Northern California, combined with health record data on psychiatric diagnoses, HIV diagnosis, treatment, and control (HIV RNA, CD4), insurance, and neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) to examine factors associated with SI (PHQ-9 item 9 score > 0). Adjusted odds ratios (aOR) for SI were obtained from logistic regression models. RESULTS: Among 2829 PWH screened (92 % male; 56 % white; mean (SD) age of 54 (13) years; 220 (8 %) reported SI. Compared with no problematic use, SI was higher among those reporting one (aOR = 1.65, 95 % CI = 1.17, 2.33), two (aOR = 2.23, 95 % CI = 1.42, 3.49), or ≥ 3 substances (aOR = 4.49, 95 % CI = 2.41, 8.39). SI risk was higher for those with stimulant use (aOR = 3.55, 95 % CI = 2.25, 5.59), depression (aOR = 4.18, 95 % CI = 3.04, 5.74), and anxiety diagnoses (aOR = 1.67, 95 % CI = 1.19, 2.34), or Medicaid (aOR = 2.11, 95%CI = 1.24, 3.60) compared with commercial/other insurance. SI was not associated with HIV-related measures or NDI. LIMITATIONS: SI was assessed with a single PHQ-9 item. Simultaneous SI and exposure data collection restricts the ability to establish substance use as a risk factor. CONCLUSIONS: HIV care providers should consider multiple substance use, stimulant use, depression or anxiety, and public insurance as risk factors for SI and provide interventions when needed.

Racial, ethnic, and age disparities in the association of mental health symptoms and polysubstance use among persons in HIV care.

We characterized polysubstance use burden and associations with mental health problems across demographic subgroups of PWH. In 2018-2020, as part of a primary care-based intervention study, PWH in care at three medical centers in Kaiser Permanente Northern California were screened for depression (PHQ-9≥10), anxiety (GAD-2≥3), and substance use (Tobacco, Alcohol, Prescription medication, and other Substance use [TAPS]≥1 per substance). We used Poisson regression to estimate prevalence ratios (PRs) comparing polysubstance use prevalence (TAPS≥1 for ≥2 substances) between PWH with positive screens for depression or anxiety vs. neither, among all PWH, and stratified by race/ethnicity and age (restricted to men), adjusting for sociodemographics, CD4, and HIV load. Screened PWH (N = 2865) included 92% men, 56% White, 19% Black, and 15% Hispanic PWH, with a median age of 55 years. Overall, polysubstance use prevalence was 26.4% (95% CI 24.9%-28.1%). PWH with depression or anxiety (n = 515) had an adjusted polysubstance use PR of 1.26 (1.09-1.46) vs. PWH with neither (n = 2350). Adjusted PRs were 1.47 (1.11-1.96), 1.07 (0.74-1.54), and 1.10 (0.85-1.41) among Black, Hispanic, and White men, respectively. Adjusted PRs did not differ by age group. Interventions should consider jointly addressing mental health and substance use problems and potential drivers, e.g. stigma or socioeconomic factors.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Screening in Key Populations of Persons Living with HIV.

Annual screening for bacterial sexually transmitted infections (STI), including gonorrhea/chlamydia (GC/CT) and syphilis, is recommended for persons with HIV (PWH). We used the prevention index to quantify the extent to which STI screening was completed at guideline-recommended frequency in African American and Latinx persons, women, persons with alcohol (AUD) and substance (SUD) use disorders. Data from PWH at Kaiser Permanente Northern California were collected from electronic health records. We defined receipt of GC/CT and syphilis screening consistent with recommendations as a prevention index score ≥ 75%. Among 9655 PWH (17.7% Latinx; 16.2% African American; 9.6% female; 12.4% AUD; 22.1% SUD), prevention index scores for GC/CT and syphilis increased from 2015 to 2019. African American PWH had lower odds of receiving an annual syphilis screen (aOR 0.87 [95% CI 0.79-0.97]). Female sex was associated with lower odds of GC/CT (aOR 0.30 [95% CI 0.27-0.34]) and syphilis (aOR 0.27 [95% CI 0.24-0.310) screening. AUD and SUD were not associated with differences in annual GC/CT or syphilis screening. Key PWH subgroups experience ongoing challenges to annual STI screening despite comparable healthcare access.

Age group differences in substance use, social support, and physical and mental health concerns among people living with HIV two years after receiving primary care-based alcohol treatment.

Objectives: People living with HIV (PWH) have seen reduction in HIV-associated morbidity and increase in near-normal life expectancy, yet unhealthy alcohol use poses substantial risks to older as well as younger adults. Further research regarding age-associated physical and mental health concerns among PWH who drink alcohol is needed to inform services, given the expanding age range of patients in care.Methods: We compared age group differences (18-34, 35-44, 45-54, ≥55 years old) in two-year patient-reported outcomes and HIV viral control among PWH enrolled in a primary care-based behavioral alcohol intervention trial; with 90% follow up from baseline.Results: Of 553 PWH, 50 (9%) were 18-34, 85 (15%) were 35-44, 197 (36%) were 45-54, and 221 (40%) were ≥55 years old. Most were men (97%) and White (64%). At two years, PWH ≥55 reported less substance use in the prior 30 days, fewer social contacts, and more pain; younger PWH had lower antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence. In adjusted analyses, PWH ages 18-34 had higher odds of unhealthy alcohol use, tobacco, cannabis, or other substances compared to those ≥55; with higher odds of anxiety among PWH 35-44 compared with those ≥55; and physical quality of life was worse among those ≥55 compared with younger groups.Conclusions: While older PWH report less substance use than younger PWH and have better ART adherence post-treatment, they are more likely to experience limited social support and worse physical quality of life. Findings can inform interventions to address varying needs of PWH across the lifespan.

Trends in Cannabis Polysubstance Use During Early Pregnancy Among Patients in a Large Health Care System in Northern California.

Importance: Rates of prenatal cannabis use are increasing alongside perceptions that cannabis is a harmless therapeutic for pregnancy-related ailments, while rates of prenatal use of alcohol and tobacco are decreasing. It is important to examine whether cannabis use during pregnancy is increasing similarly among patients with and patients without co-occurring substance use. Objectives: To examine trends in cannabis polysubstance use during pregnancy and to test differences in cannabis use over time among pregnant individuals who use only cannabis vs those who use cannabis and other substances. Design, Setting, and Participants: This cross-sectional time-series study used data from 367 138 pregnancies among 281 590 unique pregnant patients universally screened for prenatal substance use as part of standard care in Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2018. Statistical analysis was performed from October 5, 2021, to April 18, 2022. Exposures: Time (calendar year). Main Outcomes and Measures: Use of substances during early pregnancy was assessed via universal screening with a self-administered questionnaire (for cannabis, alcohol, stimulants, and nicotine) and/or positive results of a urine toxicology test (for cannabis, alcohol, stimulants, and pharmaceutical opioids), and data were extracted from the electronic health record. Results: The study sample of 367 138 pregnancies from 281 590 unique pregnant patients (median gestation at time of screening, 8.6 weeks [IQR, 7.3-10.6 weeks]) was 25.9% Asian or Pacific Islander, 6.6% Black, 25.8% Hispanic, 38.0% non-Hispanic White, and 3.6% other race or ethnicity; 1.1% were aged 11 to 17 years, 14.9% were aged 18 to 24 years, 61.9% were aged 25 to 34 years, and 22.1% were aged 35 years or older; and the median neighborhood household income was $70 455 (IQR, $51 563-$92 625). From 2009 to 2018, adjusted rates of use of only cannabis during pregnancy (no other substances) increased substantially from 2.39% (95% CI, 2.20%-2.58%) in 2009 to 6.30% (95% CI, 6.00%-6.60%) in 2018, increasing at an annual relative rate of 1.11 (95% CI, 1.10-1.12). The rate of use of cannabis and 1 other substance also increased (annual relative rate, 1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.05]), but not as rapidly (P < .001 for difference), while the rate of use of cannabis and 2 or more other substances decreased slightly (annual relative rate, 0.97 [95% CI, 0.96-0.99]). Adjusted rates of prenatal use of cannabis and alcohol (1.04 [95% CI, 1.03-1.06]) and cannabis and stimulants (1.03 [95% CI, 1.01-1.06]) increased over time, while rates of prenatal use of cannabis and nicotine (0.97 [95% CI, 0.96-0.98]) decreased. Conclusions and Relevance: In this cross-sectional time-series study, rates of prenatal cannabis use during early pregnancy increased significantly more rapidly among patients without co-occurring substance use, which could reflect increased acceptability of cannabis and decreased perceptions of cannabis-related harms. Furthermore, increased rates of use of cannabis with alcohol and stimulants warrant continued monitoring.

A mobile app to promote alcohol and drug SBIRT skill translation among multi-disciplinary health care trainees: Results of a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Adherence to clinical practice guidelines for alcohol and drug screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) is often inadequate. Mobile apps developed as clinical translation tools could improve the delivery of high fidelity SBIRT.Methods: This study tested the effectiveness of an SBIRT mobile app conceptually aligned with the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to support SBIRT delivery by health care trainees (nursing, social work, internal medicine, psychiatry, and psychology) working in clinical settings (N = 101). Bivariate analyses examined the rate of SBIRT delivery between trainees assigned to the experimental (app) and control (no app) study conditions; as well as the relationship between TPB-based constructs, intention to deliver SBIRT, and screening rates.Results: No significant differences were identified between the study conditions in SBIRT delivery. Significant correlations were found between intent to screen and TPB variables including attitudes/behavioral beliefs concerning substance use treatment (r = .49, p = .01); confidence in clinical skills (r = .36, p = .01); subjective norms (r = .54, p = .01) and perceived behavioral control over appointment time constraints (r = .42, p = .01). Also significant were correlations between percent of patients screened and confidence (r = .24, p = .05); subjective norms (r = .22, p = .05) and perceived behavioral control (r = .28, p = .01).Conclusions: The negative results of the study condition comparisons indicate the need for further investigation of strategies to optimize mobile app utilization, engagement, and effectiveness as a clinical translation tool. Findings of significant correlations between substance use screening rates and both norms and confidence support the potential value of the TPB model in explaining behavior of health care learners in SBIRT delivery.

Trends and correlates of self-reported alcohol and nicotine use among women before and during pregnancy, 2009-2017.

OBJECTIVE: To examine trends and correlates of frequency of self-reported alcohol and nicotine use among pregnant women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study of 363,240 pregnancies from 2009 to 2017 screened for self-reported substance use at their first prenatal visit in Kaiser Permanente Northern California. Poisson regression with a log link function was used to estimate the annual prevalences of self-reported daily, weekly, and ≤ monthly alcohol and nicotine use, adjusting for socio-demographics. Generalized estimating equation models were used to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (aOR) of any self-reported prenatal alcohol or nicotine use among those who self-reported use in the year prior to pregnancy, by frequency of pre-pregnancy substance use and socio-demographics. RESULTS: The sample was 64 % non-White [mean (SD) age = 30.1 (5.6)]. From 2009-2017, alcohol use before pregnancy increased from 63.4%-65.9% (trend p-value = .008), and prenatal alcohol use decreased from 11.6%-8.8% (trend p-value<.0001). Nicotine use before pregnancy decreased from 12.7 % to 7.7 % (trend p-value<.0001), and prenatal use decreased from 4.3 % to 2.0 % (trend p-value<.0001). Trends by use frequency were similar to overall trends. The odds of continued use of alcohol and nicotine during pregnancy were higher among those who used daily or weekly (versus monthly or less) in the year before pregnancy and varied with socio-demographics. DISCUSSION: Prenatal alcohol and nicotine use decreased from 2009 to 2017. More frequent pre-pregnancy use predicted higher odds of prenatal use. Results suggest that interventions and education about the harms of prenatal substance use for frequent users prior to conception may reduce substance use during pregnancy.

Self-reported Daily, Weekly, and Monthly Cannabis Use Among Women Before and During Pregnancy.

Importance: As the overall prevalence of prenatal cannabis use rises, it is vital to also monitor trends in the frequency of cannabis use in the period leading up to and during pregnancy because more frequent use may confer greater health risks for mothers and their children. Objective: To examine trends in the frequency of self-reported cannabis use among pregnant women in the year before and during pregnancy. Design, Setting, and Participants: Cross-sectional study using data from 367 403 pregnancies among 276 991 women 11 years or older who completed a self-administered questionnaire on cannabis use during standard prenatal care in Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 1, 2009, to December 31, 2017. The annual prevalence of self-reported daily, weekly, and monthly cannabis use among women before and during pregnancy was estimated using Poisson regression with a log link function, adjusting for sociodemographics. Data analyses were conducted from February to May 2019. Exposures: Calendar year. Main Outcomes and Measures: Self-reported frequency of cannabis use in the year before pregnancy and during pregnancy assessed as part of standard prenatal care (at approximately 8 weeks' gestation). Results: Among the overall sample of 367 403 pregnancies among 276 991 women, 35.9% of the women self-reported white race/ethnicity; 28.0%, Hispanic; 16.6%, Asian; 6.0%, African American; and 13.5%, other. In the sample, 1.2% of the women were aged 11 to 17 years; 15.3%, 18 to 24 years; 61.4%, 25 to 34 years; and 22.0%, older than 34 years. Median (interquartile range) neighborhood household income was $70 472 ($51 583-$92 643). From 2009 to 2017, the adjusted prevalence of cannabis use in the year before pregnancy increased from 6.80% (95% CI, 6.42%-7.18%) to 12.50% (95% CI, 12.01%-12.99%), and the adjusted prevalence of cannabis use during pregnancy increased from 1.95% (95% CI, 1.78%-2.13%) to 3.38% (95% CI, 3.15%-3.60%). Annual relative rates of change in self-reported daily cannabis use (1.115; 95% CI, 1.103-1.128), weekly cannabis use (1.083; 95% CI, 1.071-1.095), and monthly or less cannabis use (1.050; 95% CI, 1.043-1.057) in the year before pregnancy increased significantly, with daily use increasing most rapidly (from 1.17% to 3.05%). Similarly, annual relative rates of change in self-reported daily cannabis use (1.110; 95% CI, 1.089-1.132), weekly cannabis use (1.075; 95% CI, 1.059-1.092) and monthly or less cannabis use (1.044; 95% CI, 1.032-1.057) during pregnancy increased significantly from 2009 to 2017, with daily use increasing most rapidly (from 0.28% to 0.69%). Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this study demonstrate that frequency of cannabis use in the year before pregnancy and during pregnancy has increased in recent years among pregnant women in Northern California, potentially associated with increasing acceptance of cannabis use and decreasing perceptions of cannabis-associated harms.

Documentation of e-cigarette use and associations with smoking from 2012 to 2015 in an integrated healthcare delivery system.

It is unclear whether use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) precedes cigarette smoking initiation, relapse, and/or quitting. Healthcare systems with electronic health records (EHRs) provide unique data to examine ENDS use and changes in smoking. We examined the incidence of ENDS use (2012-2015) based on clinician documentation and tested whether EHR documented ENDS use is associated with twelve-month changes in patient smoking status using a matched retrospective cohort design. The sample was Kaiser Permanente Northern California (KPNC) patients aged ≥12 with documented ENDS use (N = 7926); 57% were current smokers, 35% former smokers, and 8% never-smokers. ENDS documentation incidence peaked in 2014 for current and former smokers and in 2015 for never-smokers. We matched patients with documented ENDS use to KPNC patients without documented ENDS use (N = 7926) on age, sex, race/ethnicity, and smoking status. Documented ENDS use predicted the likelihood of smoking in the following year. Among current smokers, ENDS use was associated with greater odds of quitting smoking (OR = 1.17, 95%CI = 1.05-1.31). Among former smokers, ENDS use was associated with greater odds of smoking relapse (OR = 1.53, 95%CI = 1.22-1.92). Among never-smokers, ENDS use was associated with greater odds of initiating smoking (OR = 7.41, 95%CI = 3.14-17.5). The overall number of current smokers at 12 months was slightly higher among patients with (N = 3931) versus without (N = 3850) documented ENDS use. Results support both potential harm reduction of ENDS use (quitting combustibles among current smokers) and potential for harm (relapse to combustibles among former smokers, initiation for never-smokers).