Abstract
Rates of hepatitis C virus (HCV) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men (MSM) appear to be high and rising. In other
demographic groups, HIV/HCV-coinfection is associated with poor physical and psychological outcomes. In this study, we examined
health-related and psychosocial correlates of HIV/HCV-coinfection in a clinic sample of MSM. Cross-sectional data were collected
from 171 MSM. One-third of the sample was coinfected. Higher rates of depressive and PTSD symptoms were observed in coinfected
patients. Coinfected men were more likely to report perfect 30-day medication adherence, but exhibited lower CD4 cell counts
and more past year emergency room visits. Despite consistent engagement with care and higher rates of medication adherence,
HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM exhibited significantly more mental health problems. Medical and mental health providers should be
especially attentive to the mental health status of HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM, despite adequate health behaviors and physical
health status.
demographic groups, HIV/HCV-coinfection is associated with poor physical and psychological outcomes. In this study, we examined
health-related and psychosocial correlates of HIV/HCV-coinfection in a clinic sample of MSM. Cross-sectional data were collected
from 171 MSM. One-third of the sample was coinfected. Higher rates of depressive and PTSD symptoms were observed in coinfected
patients. Coinfected men were more likely to report perfect 30-day medication adherence, but exhibited lower CD4 cell counts
and more past year emergency room visits. Despite consistent engagement with care and higher rates of medication adherence,
HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM exhibited significantly more mental health problems. Medical and mental health providers should be
especially attentive to the mental health status of HIV/HCV-coinfected MSM, despite adequate health behaviors and physical
health status.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-9
- DOI 10.1007/s10865-011-9381-1
- Authors
- David W. Pantalone, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, 41 Temple Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Danielle M. Hessler, Department of Family and Community Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Sarah M. Bankoff, Department of Psychology, Suffolk University, 41 Temple Street, Boston, MA 02114, USA
- Brijen J. Shah, Department of Medicine, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Journal Journal of Behavioral Medicine
- Online ISSN 1573-3521
- Print ISSN 0160-7715