Lifetime trauma may speed HIV progression

Psychological factors, including traumatic life events, may play a role in the progression of HIV, according to new research.

The study, undertaken by a team from the University of North Carolina, revealed that traumatic events such as physical or sexual abuse are associated with faster mortality - both from AIDS-related illness and other causes of death.

According to the report, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, HIV-infected patients who reported a greater number of traumatic life events had a faster death.

The report's authors believe the results highlight the importance of providing support for patients who have suffered trauma.

Professor Jane Leserman, lead author of the study, said: "It is critical that clinicians treating people infected with HIV recognise 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."

A recent study by a team at the University of Texas revealed that the role played by two genes may impact on how quickly HIV progresses into AIDS, with different combinations of the gene impacting on different rate of the disease's progression.

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