Citation

Carvajal MJ, Vicioso C, Santamaria JM, Bosco A. AIDS Care 1995; 7(Suppl 2): S135-8.

Affiliation

Psychiatry Unit, Hospital Civil de Basurto, Bilbao, Spain.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1995, Informa - Taylor and Francis Group)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

8664354

Abstract

Current suicidality and other characteristics were assessed in 442 HIV-infected patients, independent of clinical stage, who had been referred to the Consultation Liaison Psychiatrist from an Infectious Disease Unit of a General Hospital in Spain. The referrals were made over a period of 7 years (1988-1994). Suicidality was categorized as suicidal thoughts (5 patients), suicidal equivalents (5 patients) and suicidal attempts (17 cases). Of a total of 27 cases, two died as a result of suicide. The number of known suicide deaths was lower than expected. However, these results may show an underestimate due to the difficulty of differentiating between accidental overdose and actual suicidal attempt in intravenous drug-using patients. Health care professionals must be aware of the potential for suicidal thoughts and suicidal behaviours in HIV-positive patients to enable them to provide the necessary support.

Language: en