High Prevalence of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Symptoms Found in Well-Treated People with HIV after the Introduction of Patient-Reported Outcome Measures

Abstract

People with HIV (PWH) are at greater risk of experiencing mental health problems, such as depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The purpose of our study was to determine the prevalence of posttraumatic stress disorder PTSD in PWH. PWH in care Amsterdam University Medical center (Amsterdam UMC) with access to the electronic patient portal were offered patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) between May 2022 and May 2023, including the PC-PTSD-5 screen for PTSD as part of routine clinical care. Risk factors for a clinically relevant PC-PTSD-5 score were determined using univariate and multiple logistic regression analyses. Of 2476 PWH included, 1384 (55.9%) had access to the electronic patient portal of whom 474 (34.2%) completed the PC-PTSD-5. PWH without access to the patient portal were more often female, born in low- and middle-income countries, acquired HIV more often via heterosexual contact, and had worse HIV-related outcomes compared to those with access. Of 474 PWH who completed the PC-PTSD-5 screening question, 62 (13.1%) reached the threshold for clinically relevant PTSD. Age less than 50 years (OR 2.29, 95% CI: 1.21–4.35), and having originated from low- or middle-income countries (OR 2.02, 95% CI: 1.09–3.76) were associated with PTSD. Our findings show that 13% of PWH with a well-controlled HIV infection with access to the electronic patient portal at Amsterdam UMC experienced clinically relevant PTSD complaints.