HIV infection among young adults with psychotic disorders

OBJECTIVE: The authors examined HIV infection among young adults with newly diagnosed psychotic disorders. METHODS: The study was based on a research cohort of 320 first-admission patients aged 20-39 years in a semirural-suburban county. Research assessments and medical records were systematically reviewed for information about HIV status. RESULTS: Despite the fact that few patients were tested for HIV, 12 (3.8%) of the 320 patients had a known HIV infection. In all 12 cases, the HIV infection was contracted before the onset of psychosis. AIDS was the leading cause of mortality in the 320 patients. CONCLUSIONS: The HIV epidemic may be having an important effect on the etiology and the course of psychotic disorders.