Citation

Gala C, Pergami A, Catalan J, Riccio M, Durbano F, Musicco M, Baldeweg T, Invernizzi G. Acta Psychiatr. Scand. 1992; 86(1): 70-75.

Affiliation

Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Italy.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

1414405

Abstract

The study was aimed at evaluating the risk of deliberate self-harm (DSH) and factors associated with suicidal behaviour in 213 asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection in 3 transmission categories (68 gay men, 123 intravenous drug users and 22 heterosexuals). The results showed that 12 HIV-seropositive (HIV+) subjects were involved in DSH after the notification of a positive HIV test result, of which 8 occurred within 6 months and 4 between 6 months and 3 years. HIV+ subjects with a past psychiatric history showed a 7.7-fold increase in the relative risk of DSH, and HIV+ subjects with a history of DSH showed a 5-fold increase in the relative risk of DSH compared with HIV+ individuals without a past psychiatric history and a history of DSH. Professionals involved in the care of HIV+ individuals need to be aware of this risk, especially in the first few months after notification of HIV status and also at later stages of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.

Language: en