title: Psychosocial correlates of HIV-monoinfection and HIV/HCV-coinfection among men who have sex with men.
abstract: Rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) appear to be high and rising. In other demographic groups, HIV/HCV-coinfection is associated with poor physical and psychological outcomes. In this study, we examined health-related and psychosocial correlates of HIV/HCV-coinfection in a clinic sample of MSM. Cross-sectional data were collected from 171 MSM. One-third of the sample was coinfected. Higher rates of depressive and PTSD symptoms were observed in coinfected patients. Coinfected men were more likely to report perfect 30-day medication adherence, but exhibited lower CD4 cell counts and more past year emergency room visits. Despite consistent engagement with care and higher rates of medication adherence, HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM exhibited significantly more mental health problems. Medical and mental health providers should be especially attentive to the mental health status of HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM, despite adequate health behaviors and physical health status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, Boston, MA 02114, USA. dpantalone@suffolk.edu
authors.forename: David W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Pantalone
authors.forename: Danielle M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Hessler
authors.forename: Sarah M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Bankoff
authors.forename: Brijen J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Shah
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D060085:Coinfection; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D015438:Health Behavior; D006304:Health Status; D006526:Hepatitis C / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D018451:Homosexuality, Male; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D013313:Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic