Psychiatric and Psychological Disorders Associated to HIV Infection
Lucía Gallego Deike 1, Victoria Gordillo 2, José Catalán 2
1 Institute of Psychiatry and Mental Health, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos; Department of Psychiatry, Universidad Complutense; Madrid, Spain; 2 NULL
*Correspondence: José Catalán, Email not available
Abstract
The prevalence of principal psychiatric and psychological syndromes associated with HIV infection is described. Studies about psychiatric morbidity and emotional distress were evaluated systematically, in order to provide an accessible source of information.HIV-infected patients have a high lifetime rate of psychiatric and psychological disorders. Findings regarding current psychiatric diseases in HIV-positive and negative groups are varied, but most studies have suggested that the incidence of affective disorders is greater than expected for the general population. The wide range of prevalence values reported could be explained by differences in measurement tools, sample recruitment and selection, stage of HIV infection and sociodemographic and geographic features between studies.There is a high risk of psychiatric and psychological disorders among HIV-infected individuals. Early diagnosis and treatment could remarkably improve quality of life in this group of patients.
