title: Risk of deliberate self-harm and factors associated with suicidal behaviour among asymptomatic individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection.
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.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Psychiatry, University of Milan Medical School, Italy.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gala
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pergami
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Catalan
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riccio
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Durbano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Musicco
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baldeweg
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Invernizzi
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000523:psychology*; D006716:Homosexuality; D006801:Humans; D007558:Italy / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D016728:Self-Injurious Behavior / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology*