HIV infection among young adults with psychotic disorders.
OBJECTIVE
The authors examined HIV infection among young adults with newly diagnosed psychotic disorders.


METHODS
The study was based on a research cohort of 320 first-admission patients aged 20-39 years in a semirural-suburban county. Research assessments and medical records were systematically reviewed for information about HIV status.


RESULTS
Despite the fact that few patients were tested for HIV, 12 (3.8%) of the 320 patients had a known HIV infection. In all 12 cases, the HIV infection was contracted before the onset of psychosis. AIDS was the leading cause of mortality in the 320 patients.


CONCLUSIONS
The HIV epidemic may be having an important effect on the etiology and the course of psychotic disorders.
Susser
E
E
HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, Columbia University, New York City, NY, USA.
Colson
P
P
Jandorf
L
L
Berkman
A
A
Lavelle
J
J
Fennig
S
S
Waniek
C
C
Bromet
E
E
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000401:mortality; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology