Depressive Disorders and Suicide Attempts in Injecting Drug Users With and Without HIV Infection

Psychiatric disorders were assessed in 30 HIV-positive & 30 HIV-negative patients using a structured interview. Initially, depressive disorders, suicide attempts, & disorders related to substance use were analyzed. Being HIV-positive was not associated with a higher prevalence of depression. Suicide attempts were frequent in this sample but the frequency was equal in both groups. Results did not show any association between HIV-positive serology & depressive disorders & suicide attempts when injecting drug users were compared to the control group, HIV-negative injecting drug users. (54 refs.)