Stressful life events, PTSD symptoms and mental health in people living with HIV: Correlates of trauma in people with HIV.

PLWH with PTSD reported significantly more anxious, depressive, and general psychiatric symptoms compared to those with trauma symptoms only.

• All comparisons reached statistical significance at p < 0.0024
• The study included 93 Hospital del Mar Barcelona outpatient adults living with HIV with HIV-related trauma
• This was a cross-sectional study design using validated scales for PTSD, trauma, and psychopathology
• Participants were assessed with validated scales for PTSD, trauma, psychopathology, quality of life, functionality, and HIV-related stigma

PLWH with PTSD reported poorer health-related quality of life and more HIV-related stigma compared to those with trauma symptoms only.

• All comparisons were statistically significant at p < 0.0024
• HIV-related stigma was measured using a validated scale
• Health-related quality of life was among the clinical variables compared between PLWH with and without PTSD
• The sample consisted of 93 outpatient adults living with HIV who had HIV-related trauma

Age and previous psychiatric disorder were identified as predictors of a PTSD diagnosis in PLWH with HIV-related trauma.

• Age was a significant predictor with OR = 1.08 (p = 0.045), indicating increasing odds of PTSD with older age
• Previous psychiatric disorder was a strong predictor with OR = 15.57 (p = 0.010)
• These predictors were identified through logistic regression analysis
• The analysis was conducted in a sample of 93 PLWH with HIV-related trauma

PLWH with PTSD showed stronger correlations between childhood maltreatment, dissociation, and psychiatric symptoms than those with trauma symptoms only.

• A pathway analysis was conducted to examine these relationships
• Dissociation and PTSD were identified as a potential mechanism linking childhood maltreatment and mental health outcomes
• This finding suggests a target for clinical intervention
• The relationship was examined comparatively between PLWH with PTSD and those with trauma symptoms only

The study examined trauma profiles and sociodemographic and clinical correlates of HIV-related trauma in a sample of 93 PLWH.

• 93 Hospital del Mar Barcelona outpatient adults living with HIV with HIV-related trauma were included
• The study used a cross-sectional design
• CD4/CD8 ratio was collected as a biological marker
• Participants were assessed with validated scales for PTSD, trauma, psychopathology, quality of life, functionality, and HIV-related stigma
• PLWH with and without PTSD were compared in terms of clinical and sociodemographic factors

The findings support the need for PTSD screening and trauma-focused treatments in HIV care settings.

• Dissociation and PTSD were identified as a potential mechanism linking childhood maltreatment and mental health outcomes
• PTSD was associated with more psychiatric symptoms, lower quality of life, and increased HIV-related stigma
• These findings collectively suggest that trauma-focused interventions are warranted in HIV clinical settings
• Previous psychiatric disorder showed a particularly strong association with PTSD diagnosis (OR = 15.57)