Depressive disorders and suicide attempts in injecting drug users with and without HIV infection

Abstract

Injecting drug users (IDUs) seeking treatment for drug dependence were selected in two groups according to their HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) status. Thirty HIV-positive and 30 HIV-negative patients were submitted to a structured interview to assess psychiatric disorders. Initially, depressive disorders, suicide attempts and disorders related to substance use were analyzed. The results showed that the diagnosis of cocaine dependence was more frequent among HIV-infected patients than in the non-infected. Being HIV-positive was not associated with higher prevalence of depression. Suicide attempts were frequent in this sample, but the frequencies were equal in both groups. Concluding, the results did not show any association between the HIV-positive serology and depressive disorders and suicide attempts when IDUs are compared to the control group, also IDUs but HIV-negative.