Fatores associados à exposição ao HIV em usuários de álcool

Introduction: The HIV prevalence is higher in Porto Alegre compared to other capitals in Brazil. Alcohol abuse affects critical judgment, being associated with risky behaviors that can lead to HIV infection. Aim: To analyze factors associated with exposure to HIV in alcohol users, comparing those with risky sexual practices and those who use prevention methods. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 126 male alcohol users (HIV negative), divided into 2 groups: Sexually Exposed (n=42) and Less Sexually Exposed (n=84), considering condom use and number of sexual partners. Results: Most subjects in the Sexually Exposed group were single, without a job, with a history of homelessness and a relationship with a sexual worker, and were more concerned about HIV infection (p<0.05). Discussion: The development and monitoring of specific preventive interventions is suggested, considering the characteristics of alcohol abuse and its role in HIV transmission.Introdução: A prevalência de HIV é maior em Porto Alegre comparada ao restante do país. O abuso de álcool afeta o juízo crítico, sendo associado a comportamentos de risco que podem levar à contaminação pelo HIV. Objetivo: Analisar fatores associados à exposição ao HIV em alcoolistas com práticas sexuais de risco comparando com aqueles que se previnem. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 126 homens alcoolistas (HIV negativo), divididos em 2 grupos: Exposto Sexual (n=42) e Pouco Exposto Sexual (n=84), considerando uso de preservativo e número de parceiros sexuais. Resultados: A maioria dos sujeitos do grupo Exposto Sexual era solteiro, sem ocupação laboral, com histórico de moradia de rua e de relação com profissional do sexo,  apresentavam maior preocupação com infecção por HIV (p<0,05). Conclusão: Sugere-se o desenvolvimento e monitoramento de intervenções preventivas específicas, considerando as características do abuso de álcool e seu papel na transmissão do HIV

Fatores associados à exposição ao HIV em usuários de álcool

Introduction: The HIV prevalence is higher in Porto Alegre compared to other capitals in Brazil. Alcohol abuse affects critical judgment, being associated with risky behaviors that can lead to HIV infection. Aim: To analyze factors associated with exposure to HIV in alcohol users, comparing those with risky sexual practices and those who use prevention methods. Methods: Cross-sectional study with 126 male alcohol users (HIV negative), divided into 2 groups: Sexually Exposed (n=42) and Less Sexually Exposed (n=84), considering condom use and number of sexual partners. Results: Most subjects in the Sexually Exposed group were single, without a job, with a history of homelessness and a relationship with a sexual worker, and were more concerned about HIV infection (p<0.05). Discussion: The development and monitoring of specific preventive interventions is suggested, considering the characteristics of alcohol abuse and its role in HIV transmission.Introdução: A prevalência de HIV é maior em Porto Alegre comparada ao restante do país. O abuso de álcool afeta o juízo crítico, sendo associado a comportamentos de risco que podem levar à contaminação pelo HIV. Objetivo: Analisar fatores associados à exposição ao HIV em alcoolistas com práticas sexuais de risco comparando com aqueles que se previnem. Métodos: Estudo transversal com 126 homens alcoolistas (HIV negativo), divididos em 2 grupos: Exposto Sexual (n=42) e Pouco Exposto Sexual (n=84), considerando uso de preservativo e número de parceiros sexuais. Resultados: A maioria dos sujeitos do grupo Exposto Sexual era solteiro, sem ocupação laboral, com histórico de moradia de rua e de relação com profissional do sexo,  apresentavam maior preocupação com infecção por HIV (p<0,05). Conclusão: Sugere-se o desenvolvimento e monitoramento de intervenções preventivas específicas, considerando as características do abuso de álcool e seu papel na transmissão do HIV

Pleiotropic effects of Chr15q25 nicotinic gene cluster and the relationship between smoking, cognition and ADHD

Polymorphisms in the <i>CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4</i> gene cluster (Chr15q25) have been robustly associated with nicotine dependence, including genome-wide studies, as well as with cognitive and neuropsychological measures. In addition, cognitive processes can be influenced by nicotine use through nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). Here, we evaluated the effect of polymorphisms in <i>CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4</i> gene cluster and their interaction with tobacco smoking status on cognition in patients with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Eight SNPs from the <i>CHRNA5-CHRNA3-CHRNB4</i> gene cluster were evaluated on a clinical sample of 403 adults with ADHD. Cognitive performance was assessed using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R). Analyses of covariance were used to assess the influence of single markers and their interaction with smoking status in the Vocabulary and Block Design subtests of WAIS-R. Correction for multiple comparisons was applied. Lifetime smoking was associated to Vocabulary subtest. The TT genotypes of CHRNA5 SNPs rs588765 and rs514743 showed a trend towards association with, respectively, higher and lower scores on the Vocabulary subtest. There was a significant interaction between intergenic SNP rs8023462 and smoking on Vocabulary scores. Our results are consistent with an influence of variants in the <i>CHRNA5</i>-<i>CHRNA3</i>-<i>CHRNB4</i> gene cluster on cognitive measures. The overall scenario suggests a pleiotropic role of Chr15q25 nicotinic gene cluster with complex influences in ADHD, tobacco smoking and cognitive performance, characteristics that can be partially interdependent and may share underlying genetic factors