Psychological Distress and Associated Factors among Patients with Hemophilia Living with HIV: The Japan Cohort Study of HIV-Infected Patients through Blood Products

Although treatment for people infected with HIV has progressed, and mortality rates are decreasing, the psychological condition of patients with hemophilia living with HIV remains poorly understood. This study aimed to investigate the association between factors related to psychological distress using cross-sectional survey data in Japan.

A total of 437 male patients with hemophilia living with HIV were selected from a cohort study of participants infected with HIV through blood products. Psychological distress was assessed using the Kessler 6-Item Psychological Distress Scale (K6), with severe distress defined as a K6 score of 13 or higher. Data on the causes of worry and stress, as well as the availability of consultations, were collected.

Sixty-eight (15.6%) participants experienced severe psychological distress. Almost all participants with severe psychological distress experienced worries and stress. Among 334 participants with worries and stress, several factors were found to be significantly associated with severe psychological distress in multivariate logistic regression adjusted for subjective health status. These factors included the causes of interpersonal problems (OR 2.7, 95% CI 1.4–5.1), economic circumstances (OR 2.4, 95% CI 1.3–4.2), purpose in life (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.0–3.4), and living environment (OR 2.5, 95% CI 1.2–5.2). Additionally, having no one to consult was significantly associated with severe psychological distress (OR 2.3, 95% CI 1.2–4.6).

Patients with hemophilia living with HIV have a high prevalence of severe psychological distress. Their psychological distress is associated with various stressors and the lack of available consultation resources.