5th International AIDS Conference Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:163 (abstract no. A.516)
Gringeri A, Rumi MG, Colombo M, Zanetti AR, Romeo R, Mannucci PM; University of Milan, Milan, Italy

OBJECTIVE: To assess whether or not stopping drugs has any beneficial effect on the course of HIV infection, inactive drug users living in the community of San Patrignano (Italy) were prospectively followed.

METHODS: These patients voluntarily enrolled into a rehabilitation program based on agricultural, handicraft and industrial activities and were forcibly taken off drugs during residence. Except for married couples, they had no sexual contacts.

RESULTS: Since 1985, 293 seropositive, western-blot confirmed, asymptomatic patients have been followed at 6-month intervals for 6-48 months (median 12). 179 patients (59%) were lost because they either reached the end-point of rehabilitation (27%) or left the community (32%). 114 patients (81 M, 33 F, 16-42 yrs of age, median drug abuse: 6 yrs) are currently being followed. 65 patients (21.9%, 6.4% annual incidence by life-table analysis) deteriorated to stage IV (CDC), 6 developed full-blown AIDS (5.2%, 1.3% annual incidence). The annual deterioration rate for a control group of 41 active drug users who were followed as out patients between 1985 and 1988 was 28.4% (6.4% vs 28.4 % P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS: Stopping illicit drugs may be beneficial to the outcome of HIV infection.

890604
A516

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