title: The psycho-emotional profile of the HIV-positive naïve patient.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The paper aims to outline the naïve HIV-positive patient's profile, in terms of feelings and emotions post-diagnosis.
  
  
  METHODS
  The evaluation took place from January 2011 to December 2013 in the Psycho-social Assistance Office of the "Sfânta Parascheva" Infectious Diseases Hospital in Iaşi. We evaluated 146 patients newly diagnosed with HIV infection, both in terms of immunological and virusological and from a psychological perspective, using the Hamilton Anxiety Scale (HAMA), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI) and the clinical interview.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In a period of 3 years (January 2011 - December 2013) we registered in the HIV/AIDS Regional Center in Iaşi, 146 new cases of HIV infection in adults, with distribution by years as follows: 46 in 2011, 45 in 2012, 55 in 2013; 39 cases were in Iaşi, 39 in Suceava, 26 in Botoşani, 18 in Neamţ 18, 16 in Bacău and 6 in Vaslui. Of these, 51 were women and 95 men, aged between 24 and 46 years. From the immunological point of view, 11% of patients had values of CD4 > 500 (16 patients), 47% between 500 and 100 (69 patients) and 42% < 100 (61 patients). From a psychological perspective, the clinical interview revealed a state of fear in 68.5% of cases (fear of death, fear of complications, fear of other people's reaction to the diagnosis), confusion in 62% of cases (in terms of diagnosis, the mode of infection, the future), anger in 27% of cases (against the source of infection, against themselves, against God or divinity), guilt and self-blame in 7% of cases. Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) revealed moderate depression in 14% of patients; mild depression in 27% of patients and 58% of patients presented no symptoms of depression. Regarding the anxiety scale HAMA, in 54% of cases it showed mild anxiety, average anxiety in 28% of cases, 14% severe anxiety and 3% (4 cases) very severe anxiety.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients newly diagnosed with HIV are a vulnerable population with a specific psycho-emotional profile. Multidisciplinary knowledge--in medical, psycho -emotional and social terms--of the patient's characteristics and needs helps to support adherence to the antiretroviral therapy and improve the quality of life.
authors.forename: Maria Alexandra
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Largu
authors.forename: Carmen Mihaela
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Dorobăţ
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Prisacariu
authors.forename: Cristina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Nicolau
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Astărăstoae
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manciuc
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents