Prevalence and change in psychiatric disorders among perinatally HIV-infected and HIV-exposed youth

Bibliographic Data

ID19443045
AuthorsClaude Ann Mellins (0000-0002-1978-7638, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, corresponding author), Katherine S Elkington (0000-0002-0562-0802, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University), Cheng-Shiun Leu (New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University), Cheng‐Shiun Leu (0000-0002-0301-8316, Columbia University), E Karina Santamaria (0000-0002-5257-3420, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University), Curtis Dolezal (0000-0002-5980-1617, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University), Andrew Wiznia (0000-0001-7487-1894, Albert Einstein College of Medicine), Mahrukh Bamji (New York Medical College), Mary M Mckay (0000-0003-4683-6033, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai), Elaine J Abrams (0000-0001-7938-8981, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University)
Year2012
Volume24
Issue8
Pages953-962
Publication date2012-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAIDS Care (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0954-0121 • E-ISSN: 1360-0451
PublisherInforma UK Limited (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/09540121.2012.668174
PMID22519762
PMCIDPMC3416047
OpenAlexW2103228980
LanguageEN
Citations received40
References cited32

As the pediatric HIV epidemic in resource-rich countries evolves into an adolescent epidemic, there is a substantive need for studies elucidating mental health needs of perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV +) youth as they transition through adolescence. This article examines the role of perinatal HIV infection in influencing mental health by comparing the changes in psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders (SUD) in PHIV + and perinatally HIV-exposed, but uninfected (PHIV -) youth over time. Participants were recruited from four medical centers in New York City. Individual interviews were administered at baseline and 18-month follow-up to 166 PHIV + and 114 PHIV- youth (49% male, age 9-16 years at baseline). Youth psychiatric disorder was assessed using the caregiver and youth versions of the Diagnostic Interview Schedule for Children (DISC-IV). Over two-thirds of participants met criteria for at least one psychiatric disorder at either baseline or follow-up, with few group differences. Among PHIV + youth, there was a significant decrease in the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder, as well as anxiety disorders specifically over time, whereas the prevalence of any psychiatric disorder among PHIV- youth remained the same and mood disorders increased. Rates of SUD were low in both groups, increasing slightly by follow-up. PHIV + youth reported more use of mental health services at follow-up. CD4 count and HIV RNA viral load were not associated with the presence or absence of disorder at either time point. In conclusion, among PHIV + and PHIV- youth, the rates of psychiatric disorder were high, even compared to other vulnerable populations, suggesting that factors other than perinatal HIV infection may be important determinants of mental health. PHIV + youth were more likely to improve over the observation period. The data underscore the critical need for mental health interventions for both PHIV + and PHIV- youth

Anxiety · Family medicine · Mental health · Mini-international neuropsychiatric interview · Mood · Mood disorders · Psychiatry · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine