HIV-related symptoms and psychological functioning in a cohort of homosexual men

Am J Psychiatry. 1989 Jun;146(6):737-42. doi: 10.1176/ajp.146.6.737.

Abstract

The authors administered the Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale to 4,954 homosexual men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study. HIV antibody status at enrollment was a less important predictor of psychological distress than were reported physical symptoms. Multivariate analysis showed an association between a high score on each CES-D Scale component and the number of self-reported possible AIDS- or HIV-related symptoms, perceived lymphadenopathy, and absence of "someone to talk to about serious problems." This relationship between self-reported physical symptoms and psychological distress suggests a possible etiologic relationship between perceived AIDS risk and psychological symptoms in men at risk of AIDS.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study

MeSH terms

  • Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / psychology*
  • Adult
  • Bisexuality
  • Cohort Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Depression / prevention & control
  • HIV Seropositivity
  • Homosexuality*
  • Humans
  • Interpersonal Relations
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multicenter Studies as Topic
  • Psychotropic Drugs / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Self-Assessment
  • Substance-Related Disorders

Substances

  • Psychotropic Drugs