학술논문
Stigma and mental health among people living with HIV across the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study.
Document Type
Article
Author
Di Gennaro, Francesco; Papagni, Roberta; Segala, Francesco Vladimiro; Pellegrino, Carmen; Panico, Gianfranco Giorgio; Frallonardo, Luisa; Diella, Lucia; Belati, Alessandra; Santoro, Carmen Rita; Brindicci, Gaetano; Balena, Flavia; Bavaro, Davide Fiore; Montalbò, Domenico; Guido, Giacomo; Calluso, Lina; Di Tullio, Marilisa; Sgambati, Margherita; Fiordelisi, Deborah; De Gennaro, Nicolò; Saracino, Annalisa
Source
Subject
Language
ISSN
1471-2334
Abstract
Background: Mental health (MH) is extremely relevant when referring to people living with a chronic disease, such as people living with HIV (PLWH). In fact – although life expectancy and quality have increased since the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART) – PLWH carry a high incidence of mental disorders, and this burden has been exacerbated during the COVID-19 pandemic. In this scenario, UNAIDS has set new objectives for 2025, such as the linkage of at least 90% of PLWH to people-centered, context-specific MH services. Aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of MD in PLWH followed at the Clinic of Infectious Diseases of the University of Bari, Italy. Methods: From January 10th to September 10th, 2022, all PLWH patients accessing our outpatient clinic were offered the following standardized tools: HAM-A for anxiety, BDI-II for depression, PC-PTSD-5 for post-traumatic stress disorder, CAGE-AID for alcohol-drug abuse. Factors associated with testing positive to the four MD were explored with a multivariable logistic regression model. Results: 578 out of 1110 HIV-patients agreed to receive MH screening, with 141 (24.4%) people resulting positive to at least one MH disorder. HAM-A was positive in 15.8% (n = 91), BDI-II in 18% (n = 104), PC-PTSD-5 in 5% (n = 29) and CAGE in 6.1% (n = 35). The multivariable logistic regression showed a higher probability of being diagnosed with anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder for PLWH who reported severe stigma, social isolation, psychological deterioration during the COVID-19 pandemic and for those receiving a dolutegravir (DTG)-based regimen. Moreover, history of drug use (OR 1.13; [95% CE 1.06–4.35]), family stigma (2.42 [1.65–3.94]) and social isolation (2.72 [1.55;4.84]) were found to be associated to higher risk for substance use disorder. Conclusions: In this study, stigma was a strong predictor for being diagnosed of a MH disorder among PLWH. Also, the possible role of dolutegravir as a risk factor for the onset of MH disorders should be considered in clinical practice, and MH of patients receiving DTG-containing regimens should be constantly monitored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]