Lowered success on antiretrovirals among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) is linked to substance abuse, depression, and high-risk sex, aidsmap reports. Publishing their findings in the journal AIDS, researchers analyzed 2003 to 2009 data on 766 HIV-positive MSM from the Multicenter AIDS Cohort study, a prospective cohort study in four U.S. cities.

The researchers examined the connection between viral load and adherence to ARVs and the number of intertwining, or syndemic, conditions, including substance abuse, depression, and high-risk sex.

Those with more syndemic conditions were less likely to adhere to ARVs. The more syndemics, the worse the adherence and the greater the likelihood of a detectable viral load. Those with no syndemic conditions had a median viral load of 191, compared with 248 among those with one condition, 376 among those with two conditions, and 1,197 among those with three conditions.

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.