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Abstract
Changes in depression, drug use, and risk among HIV positive IDUs: a 12 year follow-up
M Eisenberg, D S Metzger, D Fiore, A Davis-Vogel, H Navaline, G E Woody
University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, United States
Background: There is increasing interest in long term changes in psychiatric status, drug use and risk behavior among injection drug users, particularly those who are HIV positive.
Method: As part of a 12 year seroincidence study among IDUs from Philadelphia, 314 subjects with stable sero-status were examined regarding changes in depression and risk behaviors. At baseline, 314 subjects remained HIV- and 64 subjects were determined to be HIV+ at baseline. Differences in risk and psychiatric symptoms were tested between subjects who were HIV+ and HIV- at first assessment and between baseline and final assessment. Subjects received HIV prevention counseling, HIV testing (for the negatives), and referral during semi-annual assessments starting in 1989 and ending in 2002.
Results: At the initial assessment there were no differences between HIV+ and HIV- subjects on depression as measured by the Beck Depression Inventory. In the month prior to baseline assessment, HIV+ subjects were more likely have injected cocaine (48% vs. 23%), injected speedball (52% vs. 30%), and smoked crack cocaine (24% vs. 13%) and used shooting galleries (60% vs. 42%). Over the course of the study, 30% of the HIV- subjects and 67% of the HIV+ subjects were confirmed to have died. Among the surviving cohort, both HIV+ subjects and HIV- subjects evidenced similar levels reductions in depression scores. Both positive and negative subjects also reported dramatic reductions in rates of drug use and risk behaviors. Among HIV- subjects reported needle sharing dropped from 50% to 5%. Among HIV + subjects, needle sharing dropped from 52% to 0%.
Conclusion: The high mortality rate among HIV positive subjects can be explained in part by the fact that the study began in 1989, well before the availability of HARRT. However, HIV negative subjects also had very high rate of mortality. Among survivors, depression, drug use, and risk behaviors did not differ between HIV+ and HIV- subjects.
The XV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
C12567
Suggested Citation
" M Eisenberg, et al.
Changes in depression, drug use, and risk among HIV positive IDUs: a 12 year follow-up.
CD Only:
The XV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
C12567"
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