HIV Associated With Risk of Mental Health Hospitalization for Gay and Bi Men

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September 9, 2016

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Gay and bisexual men are at greater risk of being hospitalized for mood and anxiety disorders if they have HIV, aidsmap reports. Such hospitalization among gay and bi men is associated with an increased risk of death as well as substance use.

Publishing their findings in the Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes, Australian researchers studied two cohorts of men identifying as gay or bisexual and living in Sydney. A group of 557 HIV-positive men was recruited between 1998 and 2006, and a group of 1,882 HIV-negative men was recruited between 2001 and 2004. The study’s follow-up continued through 2007.

The two groups saw a cumulative 300 hospitalizations for anxiety and mood disorders, including 15.3 percent of the HIV-positive men and 5.4 percent of the HIV-negative men.

The researchers found that having HIV was associated with a about a 2.5-fold increase in the risk for hospitalization for anxiety and mood disorders.

Among the HIV-positive group, factors associated with such hospitalization included a previous hospitalization for HIV-related dementia, a more recent HIV diagnosis and a CD4 count above 350.

Nineteen people hospitalized for anxiety and mood disorders died during the study’s follow-up period, including four HIV-positive individuals.

Regardless of HIV status, being hospitalized for anxiety and mood disorders was associated with about a 5.5-fold increased risk of death. The researchers observed an association between substance use and death in individuals undergoing such hospitalizations.

To read the aidsmap article, click here.

To read the study abstract, click here.

Read more articles from POZ, here.