PSYCHIATRIC-DISORDERS, DRUG-USE, AND MEDICAL STATUS IN INJECTION-DRUGUSERS WITH HIV DISEASE

The authors reviewed records of 84 HIV-infected methadone-maintenance treatment (MMT) patients for psychiatric disorders, HIV disease status , and urine drug-test results. Sixty-six patients (79%) required psych iatric consultation (P+). Their diagnoses are presented. P+ patients a nd patients not requiring consultation (P-) were compared for drug abu se, HIV status, and zidovudine (AZT) treatment while in MMT. P+ patien ts had a higher rate of drug-positive urine tests than P- patients, we re more likely to have progressed to AIDS, and were less likely to hav e AZT prescribed. Among injection drug users in MMT, current psychiatr ic comorbidity is common and may be associated with worsened drug-abus e treatment and HIV disease outcome.