Lifetime trauma speeds HIV progression

CHAPEL HILL, N.C., Nov. 2 (UPI) -- Evidence indicates psychological factors play a role in disease progression of HIV, say researchers led by the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lead author Jane Leserman, a professor of psychiatry and medicine, says traumatic life events, such as physical or sexual abuse, are associated with faster mortality.

"Trauma and depression are common among people with HIV, and trauma and depression seem to have an effect on disease progression and mortality in HIV," Leserman said in a statement. "Given that, it is critical that clinicians treating people infected with HIV recognize depression and trauma as risk factors for poor health outcomes, and thus screen and refer patients for psychological and psychiatric treatment when these problems are present."

The researchers interviewed a group of 490 HIV infected patients and those who reported a greater number of categories of traumatic life events had faster death from all causes and from AIDS.

The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, found more than half of the patients in the study experienced three or more lifetime traumas, and half had experienced physical or sexual abuse.