Short circuit: Disaggregation of adrenocorticotropic hormone and cortisol levels in HIV-positive, methamphetamine-using men who have sex with men

Abstract

Objective: This study examined if methamphetamine use alone (METH + HIV−) and methamphetamine use in combination with HIV (METH + HIV+) were associated with hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis dysregulation as well as insulin resistance relative to a nonmethamphetamine-using, HIV-negative comparison group (METH-HIV−). Methods: Using an intact groups design, serum levels of HPA axis hormones in 46 METH + HIV− and 127 METH + HIV+ men who have sex with men (MSM) were compared to 136 METH-HIV− men. Results: There were no group differences in prevailing adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) or cortisol levels, but the association between ACTH and cortisol was moderated by METH + HIV+ group (β = −0.19, p