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The Psychosocial Impact of HIV Infection in Gay Men, Drug Users and Heterosexuals

Controlled Investigation

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  02 January 2018

Costanzo Gala ,
Andrea Pergami ,
Jose Catalan ,
Federico Durbano ,
Massimo Musicco ,
Massimo Riccio ,
Torsten Baldeweg  and
Giordano Invernizzi
Costanzo Gala
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic I, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Guardia II, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
Andrea Pergami*
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Mental Health Unit, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9TH, and Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic I, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Guardia II, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
Jose Catalan
Affiliation:
Department of Psychological Medicine, Mental Health Unit, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London
Federico Durbano
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic I, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Guardia II, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
Massimo Musicco
Affiliation:
Institute of Advanced Biomedical Technologies, Italian National Research Council (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche), Via Ampere 56, 20122 Milan, Italy
Massimo Riccio
Affiliation:
Mental Health Unit, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London
Torsten Baldeweg
Affiliation:
Department of Psychiatry, Charing Cross Hospital, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London
Giordano Invernizzi
Affiliation:
Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Psychiatric Clinic I, Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Guardia II, Via F Sforza 35, 20122 Milan, Italy
*
∗Department of Psychological Medicine, Mental Health Unit, Chelsea & Westminster Hospital, Charing Cross and Westminster Medical School, University of London, 369 Fulham Road, London SW10 9TH
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Abstract

The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of current and past psychiatric morbidity in HIV seropositive asymptomatic subjects belonging to three transmission categories (gay men, intravenous drug users, and heterosexuals) compared with that found in HIV seronegative controls from the same groups. A cross-sectional, controlled study including 279 seropositive subjects belonging to groups II and III defined by the Center for Disease Control (94 gay men, 157 intravenous drug users, and 28 heterosexuals) and 159 seronegative subjects (38 gay men, 91 intravenous drug users, and 30 heterosexuals) is reported. Outcome measures included standardised, self-report questionnaires and a semistructured interview to assess current psychopathological status and past psychiatric history. In addition, a psychiatric diagnosis according to DSM-III-R criteria Axis I and II was made in the seropositive subjects. Results showed that these subjects differed very little from the controls and that overall levels of psychiatric disturbances in both groups were low and similar to those found in other life-threatening illnesses. Furthermore, intravenous drug users, regardless of HIV serological status, had the highest levels of psychological morbidity. Psychosocial distress was associated with previous and current lifestyle, independently of HIV status.

Type
Research Article
Information
The British Journal of Psychiatry , Volume 163 , Issue 5 , November 1993 , pp. 651 - 659
Copyright
Copyright © Royal College of Psychiatrists, 1993 

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