Psychiatric diagnoses in adolescents seropositive for the human immunodeficiency virus.
OBJECTIVE
To provide a descriptive analysis of the prevalence of past and current psychiatric disorders in adolescents positive for the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).


METHODS
Structured interview in a convenience sample in a primary care urban adolescent clinic in Washington, DC.


METHODS
Thirty-four HIV-seropositive adolescents ranging in age from 16 to 21 years.


METHODS
The Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders-Patient Edition (SCID-P) was administered by a child psychiatrist or a clinical child psychologist. Extensive review of medical records was also conducted.


RESULTS
A majority of the HIV-infected adolescents in our sample had received psychiatric diagnoses prior to their treatment at the clinic (53%), had a documented history of sexual abuse (50%), and had a history of substance use (82%). Psychiatric diagnoses determined by the SCID-P indicated that 85% of the sample had a current Axis I disorder, with 44% reporting ongoing depressive disorders.


CONCLUSIONS
The majority of subjects in this sample had had a previous psychiatric diagnosis, and almost half had a current affective disorder. Psychiatric disorders, especially affective disorders, may be a risk factor for high-risk sexual behaviors and substance use that increases the risk for HIV infection in adolescent populations.
Pao
M
M
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Children's National Medical Center, Washington, DC 20010, USA.
Lyon
M
M
D'Angelo
L J
LJ
Schuman
W B
WB
Tipnis
T
T
Mrazek
D A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002649:Child Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D004219:District of Columbia / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D010552:Personality Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D014505:Urban Population / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*