NEUROPSYCHIATRIC ASPECTS OF HIV-1 INFECTION IN GAY MEN - CONTROLLED INVESTIGATION OF PSYCHIATRIC, NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL AND NEUROLOGICAL STATUS

The aim of this study was to determine whether HIV infection is associ ated with psychiatric morbidity or neuropsychological impairment in as ymptomatic and early symptomatic stages of disease in gay men. The sub jects were 100 gay men (68 HIV - ve, 32 HIV + ve, 6 being CDC IV). All subjects were recruited at the time of requesting their first HIV tes t and the assessment was double-blind to HIV serostatus. There were no differences in psychiatric status or neuropsychological performance b etween the HIV - ve and HIV + ve groups. Multiple regression analysis and logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with psychiatric morbidity, neuropsychological impairment and subjective re porting of memory problems and physical symptoms for all 100 subjects. Previous psychiatric history and current illegal (non-dependent) drug use were associated with psychiatric morbidity, poor education was as sociated with neuropsychological impairment and psychiatric status (sc ore on HAD and PSE) was associated with subjective reporting of memory problems and physical symptoms.