ALCOHOL-CONSUMPTION AMONG HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS

This prospective, cohort study analyzed the prevalence of alcoholism a nd patterns of alcohol intake over time in a cohort of HIV-infected pa tients, predominantly homosexual/bisexual men, One hundred eleven HIV- positive subjects were recruited from a comprehensive HIV clinic assoc iated with a large Midwestern university hospital. Each participant co mpleted the Michigan Alcoholism Screening Test (MAST) survey and a sta ndardized quantity-frequency questionnaire on alcohol intake at enroll ment, The quantity-frequency scale was repeated every six months for a total of 30 months. Forty-five of the ill subjects (41%) met the crit eria for alcoholism, as defined by a MAST score 5 or higher. There was a significant decrease in alcohol consumption over time, from 6.4 dri nks/week in the initial time period to 3.9 drinks/week by the final ti me period (p < 0.001).