Liaison psychiatry–characterization of inpatients with psychiatric pathology in the infectiology service

Abstract

Introduction

The interface of the Liaison Psychiatry with Infectiology is fundamental for the continuous and specialized support of these patients. Prevalent psychiatric records are known in the HIV infection, such as anxiety, depression and abuse and/or addiction to substances. There are also different neuropsychiatric situations associated with this infection owing, namely, to the HIV direct action on the central nervous system, to the adverse effect of the antiretroviral therapy and to the resurgence of existing prior pathology.

Objective

The author intends to characterize the population evaluated in the Liaison psychiatry in the Coimbra university hospital with respect to inpatients of the Infectiology Service in a central hospital in order to optimize resources and better adjust interventions made.

Methods and results

The quantitative retrospective study was carried out between May 2015 and May 2016, with a duration of one year, in the infectiology service of the Coimbra university hospital.

Observation and evaluation of the inpatient of the infectiology service having in view the sample characterization in relation to demographic data, nature of the request, antiretroviral therapy, psychiatric diagnosis, type of intervention and follow-up. The quantitative data were subject to statistical analysis.

Conclusion

The prevalence of the psychiatric disorders associated with HIV infection is high and with great emotional impact and implications in the personal, sexual, occupational and social life of the individual. The diagnosis and treatment of the psychiatric comorbidity is determinant in the patients’ evolution, both in reducing suffering associated with experience of HIV infection and in its implications.

Disclosure of interest

The author has not supplied his/her declaration of competing interest.