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. 2023 Feb;35(2):170-181.
doi: 10.1080/09540121.2022.2136349. Epub 2022 Oct 19.

The relationship between substance use and physical activity among people living with HIV, chronic pain, and symptoms of depression: a cross-sectional analysis

Emily M Cherenack  1   2 , Michael D Stein  1   2   3 , Ana M Abrantes  1   2 , Andrew Busch  4   5 , Megan M Pinkston  1   6 , Jason V Baker  4   5 , Lisa A Uebelacker  1   2
Affiliations

The relationship between substance use and physical activity among people living with HIV, chronic pain, and symptoms of depression: a cross-sectional analysis

Emily M Cherenack et al. AIDS Care. 2023 Feb.

Abstract

ABSTRACTChronic pain, depression, and substance use are common among people living with HIV (PLWH). Physical activity can improve pain and mental health. Some substances such as cannabis may alleviate pain, which may allow PLWH to participate in more physical activity. However, risks of substance use include poorer mental health and HIV clinical outcomes. This cross-sectional analysis examined the relationships of self-reported substance use (alcohol, cannabis, and nicotine use), gender, and age with self-reports of walking, moderate physical activity, and vigorous physical activity, converted to Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units (METs), among 187 adults living with HIV, chronic pain, and depressive symptoms in the United States. Women reported less walking, vigorous activity, and total physical activity compared to men. Individuals who used cannabis reported more vigorous physical activity relative to those who did not use cannabis. These findings were partially accounted for by substance use*gender interactions: men using cannabis reported more vigorous activity than all other groups, and women with alcohol use reported less walking than men with and without alcohol use. Research is needed to increase physical activity among women who use substances and to evaluate reasons for the relationship between substance use and physical activity among men.

Keywords: Substance use; chronic pain; depression; physical activity.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Dr. Uebelacker’s spouse is employed by Abbvie Pharmaceuticals. The authors have no other relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Estimated Minutes Walking Per week.
This figure demonstrates the estimated marginal means for minutes walking per week calculated for a model that only includes significant variables at p < 0.05 (or those involved in significant interactions), including gender, alcohol use, age, and the gender*alcohol use interaction. The outcome of this analysis was walking Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units (METs), which was transformed into minutes per week by dividing by 3.3 (see Methods).
Figure 2
Figure 2. Estimated Minutes Vigorous Activity Per week.
This figure demonstrates the estimated marginal means for minutes of vigorous activity per week calculated for a model that only includes significant variables at p < 0.05 (or those involved in significant interactions), including gender, cannabis use, cigarette use, the gender*cannabis use interaction, and the gender*cigarette use interaction. The outcome of this analysis was vigorous activity Metabolic Equivalent of Task Units (METs), which was transformed into minutes per week by dividing by 8.8 (See Methods).
Figure 3
Figure 3. Estimated Total METs Per week.
This figure demonstrates the estimated marginal means for total Metabolic Units (METs) per week. Marginal means were calculated for a model that only includes significant variables at p < 0.05 (or those involved in significant interactions), including gender, alcohol use, and the gender*alcohol use interaction. Total METs cannot be transformed into minutes per week, because it is the sum of walking, moderate, and vigorous METs, each of which was calculated as the product of a different constant and minutes of activity.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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