A retrospective cohort analysis was performed to describe outcomes and retention in care on antiretroviral therapy (ART) of 53 patients with severe mental illness (SMI). Diagnoses were psychosis secondary to HIV (24 patients), psychosis not otherwise specified (12), mania with or without psychosis (9), depression with psychotic features (4), and schizophrenia and bipolar mood disorder (2 each). The median baseline CD4 count was 66/mm(3) and viral load was 5.4 log10 copies/mL. Thirteen (25%) patients were lost to follow-up (10 within 6 months), 3 were transferred out, and 3 died. By week 96, 29 (85%) of 34 (64%) patients still in care had a viral load <400 copies/mL and 26 (76%) a viral load <25 copies/mL. Median CD4 count increased to 307/mm(3). Twenty-seven of 34 patients discontinued antipsychotic medication. Patients with SMI and advanced HIV infection responded well to ART. The first 6 months was important for retention in care.
Keywords: Africa; HIV; antiretroviral treatment outcomes; efavirenz; mental illness.
© The Author(s) 2015.