Anxiety syndromes and symptoms among men with AIDS - A longitudinal controlled study

This 2-year longitudinal study assessed prevalence of Axis I anxiety disord ers and anxiety symptoms and their relationship to manifestations of HIV il lness in a sample of nonintravenous drug users. The sample included 173 hom osexual men with HIV or AIDS (HIV+/AIDS) and 84 homosexual men negative for HIV or AIDS (HIV-). Data were compared with national prevalence rates to p rovide a framework for interpretation. No significant differences were obse rved, However compared with the general population, both HIV+/AIDS and HIV- men reported more anxiety symptoms and stress. For the HIV+/AIDS group the re was a positive relationship between anxiety and HIV symptoms, fatigue, a nd physical limitations. No changes in rates or levels of anxiety were obse rved in those whose immunologic markers improved or worsened over the 2 yea rs.