Characteristics of HIV-positive patients treated in a psychiatric emergency department.
OBJECTIVE
Knowledge about the characteristics of patients using psychiatric emergency services is expanding. However, the prevalence of HIV infection among patients treated at psychiatric emergency departments is not known, and neither are the characteristics of HIV-positive patients seen in this setting.


METHODS
To estimate the prevalence and demographic and clinical correlates of HIV infection among patients utilizing psychiatric emergency services in a level 1 trauma center, the authors analyzed data from a series of 58,301 consecutive visits (28,817 unique patients).


RESULTS
Of the total psychiatric emergency visits, 2.0% were by HIV-positive patients, who were more likely to be male, homeless, or African American. These patients were also more likely to show dementia or to be suicidal, abusing substances, or coping with borderline personality disorder.


CONCLUSIONS
More precise description of HIV-positive patients visiting psychiatric emergency departments may help elucidate the needs of this population and help plan for improvements in care in this setting.
Bennett
W R Murray
WR
Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington School of Medicine, Harborview Medical Center, Seattle WA 98104, USA. mbennett@u.washington.edu
Joesch
Jutta M
JM
Mazur
Michelle
M
Roy-Byrne
Peter
P
D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D004637:Emergency Services, Psychiatric / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D006703:Ill-Housed Persons / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D011567:Psychiatric Department, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D044469:Racial Groups / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology