Evaluation of mental status HIV-infected patients: implications for treatment.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to explore factors that may influence mental health status of HIV-infected patients, and to figure out a method that could effectively classify the patients by evaluating the severity of their mental health problems.


METHODS
Eighty-five patients were recruited and divided into two groups: the low risk group (LRG, n = 38) and the high risk group (HRG, n = 47). All patients finished Symptom Check-List 90 Revised (SCL-90-R) which is a multidimensional questionnaire designed to screen for a broad range of psychological problems.


RESULTS
SCL-90-R scores of HRG were significantly higher than those of the general population and did not differ from those of psychosomatic outpatients. Scores of LRG were significantly lower than those of psychosomatic outpatients and did not differ from those of the general population in most subscales. HIV-infected men having sex with men and unemployed patients had much higher incidence of mental health problems.


CONCLUSIONS
Besides undistinguishable group psychotherapy, we call for a clinical screening by psychological questionnaires at the first step, and then at-risk or high-risk patients should be given corresponding and individualized treatments. More attention and health care should be given to HIV-infected men who have sex with men and unemployed patients.
State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Disease, the First Affiliated Hospital, School of Medicine, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, China.
Y H
YH
Jin
A
A
Potthoff
J
J
Xu
W J
WJ
Yu
K
K
Liu
N C
NC
Weng
N H
NH
Brockmeyer
N P
NP
Wu
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D057189:Checklist; D015897:Comorbidity; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017533:Marital Status / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D019529:Sexuality / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014478:Unemployment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data