OBJECTIVE: Study psychiatric disorders on injecting drug users infected by the HIV. METHODS: Injecting drug users entering treatment for drug dependence were selected in two groups according to their HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) status. The HIV is a virus that causes AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). Thirty HIV-positive and 30 HIV-negative patients were submitted to a structured interview to assess psychiatric disorders. Initially, depressive disorders and disorders related to substance use were analyzed. RESULTS: The results showed that the cocaine dependence diagnosis was more frequent in HIV infected patients than in the non-infected. Being HIV positive was not associated with higher prevalence of depression. Suicide attempts were frequent in this sample, but the frequencies were equal in the two groups. CONCLUSION: Patients infected with HIV tended to reduce or cease their drug use after the knowledge of the HIV status.
Depressive disorders; HIV/AIDS; drug dependence; controlled study
