title: AIDS and suicide issues in Spain.
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.
authors.affiliation: Psychiatry Unit, Hospital Civil de Basurto, Bilbao, Spain.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Carvajal
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Vicioso
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Santamaria
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bosco
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012017:Referral and Consultation; D013030:Spain; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology*; D013406:Suicide, Attempted / Q000523:psychology