Prevalence of psychiatric disorders in HIV illness

Abstract

This paper summarizes the available data on prevalence of psychiatric disorders in HIV+ samples. Primary emphasis is placed on studies using structured interviews for diagnosis and including matched HIV seronegative comparison groups. Such comparison groups permit determination of whether membership in a given risk group, or HIV infection as such, largely account for differences in rates of disorder compared to total population rates. The cumulative evidence indicates that HIV status or stage of illness are not by themselves strong predictors of mood or anxiety disorders. Risk group membership and a prior history of depression appear to be more strongly related. Whether one-month prevalence rates of major depression for non-intravenous drug users in the 5–8% range are considered ‘high’ (more than double the total population rates in the Epidemiologic Catchment Area studies) or unexpectedly low (compared to those with other terminal illnesses or the initial reports of HIV-related psychopathology from the mid-1980's) is a matter of interpretation and expectation, and experts differ.