Neuropsychiatric predictors of return to work in HIV/AIDS.
This study followed 118 HIV+ individuals who had taken steps to return to work to determine facilitators or barriers in returning to work. Over the two-year study period, 52% of the participants obtained employment. Memory function served as the most potent predictor of obtaining employment. Persons who were younger, did not have a diagnosis of AIDS and who had shorter periods of unemployment prior to entering the study also had better chances of finding employment during the study. After finding employment, participants reported lower levels of depression as well, an apparent result of their obtaining employment. These findings indicate that memory is a key neuropsychiatric variable that is perhaps most relevant to HIV+ persons' quest to return to work.
van Gorp
Wilfred G
WG
Department of Psychiatry, Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons, New York, New York, USA. wv2006@columbia.edu
Rabkin
Judith G
JG
Ferrando
Stephen J
SJ
Mintz
Jim
J
Ryan
Elizabeth
E
Borkowski
Thomas
T
McElhiney
Martin
M
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D001921:Brain / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D003710:Demography; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011584:Psychology; D011594:Psychometrics; D011596:Psychomotor Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index