Abstract
In this study, we use the Colorado Symptom Index, a measure of psychiatric symptomatology, to identify vulnerable subgroups
within the severely mentally ill population at elevated risk for HIV infection. Baseline data on 228 HIV positive and 281
HIV negative participants from two clinical trials were used. With years to HIV diagnosis as our primary endpoint, Kaplan–Meier
estimates were calculated to find a CSI cut-off score, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to obtain relative risks
of infection for the two CSI categories created by the cut point. We found that a CSI score ≥ 30 was associated with a 47%
increased risk for HIV infection (P < 0.01). While this study establishes the foundation for using CSI scores to identify a vulnerable subgroup within the SMI
community, further studies should develop effective approaches to mitigate psychiatric symptomatology in order to examine
the impact on HIV transmission risky behaviors.
within the severely mentally ill population at elevated risk for HIV infection. Baseline data on 228 HIV positive and 281
HIV negative participants from two clinical trials were used. With years to HIV diagnosis as our primary endpoint, Kaplan–Meier
estimates were calculated to find a CSI cut-off score, and a Cox proportional hazards model was used to obtain relative risks
of infection for the two CSI categories created by the cut point. We found that a CSI score ≥ 30 was associated with a 47%
increased risk for HIV infection (P < 0.01). While this study establishes the foundation for using CSI scores to identify a vulnerable subgroup within the SMI
community, further studies should develop effective approaches to mitigate psychiatric symptomatology in order to examine
the impact on HIV transmission risky behaviors.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-7
- DOI 10.1007/s10597-011-9402-0
- Authors
- Evan S. Wu, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Aileen Rothbard, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Michael B. Blank, Department of Psychiatry, Center for Mental Health Policy and Services Research, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Journal Community Mental Health Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2789
- Print ISSN 0010-3853