Korean J Psychosom Med.  2014 Jun;22(1):31-39.

Clinical Characteristics and Use of Psychotropic Agents among HIV-Infected/AIDS Patients Referred for Psychiatric Consultation

• Shin SH
• Kim HC
• Yoo SY
• Shin HS
• Won SD
• Lee SH

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study aimed to investigate the psychiatric status of HIV-infected/AIDS inpatients in a general hospital over the past 2.5 years.
METHODS
A retrospective chart review was conducted of psychiatric consultations performed between January 1, 2011, and July 30, 2013. The records of 97 HIV-infected/AIDS patients were analyzed. These included a total of 282 psychiatric consultations.
RESULTS
Of the 97 patients, 91(93.8%) were male, the mean age was 48 years, and mean number of consultations was 2.8. Depressed mood was reported in 102 consultations(23.8%), insomnia in 60(14.0%), and anxiety in 31(7.2%). Psychiatric disorders diagnosed on initial consultation included depressive disorder(37 patients ; 37.0%), cognitive disorder(11 ; 11.0%), and delirium(9 ; 9.0%). Recommended psychotropic medication included Lorazepam(99 ; 17.2%), Escitalopram(90 ; 15.7%), and Quetiapine(84 ; 14.6%).
CONCLUSIONS
The main complaints of HIV-infected/AIDS patients were depressed mood, insomnia, and suicidal ideation(including suicide attempts). In total, 85(93.3%) patients of those consulted were diagnosed as meeting the criteria for a psychiatric condition. However, considering that only 16.9% of patients consulted received follow-up treatment, longitudinal research is needed to examine the influence of psychiatric disorders on the transmission of HIV-infection/AIDS, as well as on prognosis and treatment adherence.

Keyword

HIV; AIDS; Psychiatric disorder; Consultation

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Follow-Up Studies
HIV
Hospitals, General
Humans
Inpatients
Male
Prognosis
Referral and Consultation
Retrospective Studies
Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders
Suicide