Prevalance of attenti̇on defi̇ci̇t hyperacti̇vi̇ty di̇sorder i̇n pati̇ents i̇nfected wi̇th HIV

Introduction and Aim: ADHD is a psychiatric disorder with symptoms of attention deficit, impulsivity and hyperactivity that can start in childhood and continue throughout adulthood. ADHD can have significant effect on the individual's academic, professional and social life. The symptoms of attention deficit and impulsivity in ADHD patients, can play a role in getting infected with HIV and also with the course of the infection. With insufficient contraception and decreased treatment compliance before, during and after the disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of ADHD, attention deficit and impulsivity in HIV-positive individuals and its effect on treatment compliance. Materials and Methods: Fifty HIV positive patients were followed at Sakarya Training and Research Hospital, Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology Outpatient Clinic and applied to the clinic during the study period were included in the study. Sociodemographic Data Form, Barratt Impulsivity Scale, Morisky Treatment Compliance Scale and Adult Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder Self-Report Scale (ASRS-IV) were administered to the patients. Diagnoses of ADHD and other psychiatric disorders were made according to DSM-5 criteria. Results: While 32% of HIV-positive individuals were found to be or highly compatible with ADHD according to ASRS-IV scale scores. The prevalence of ADHD detected by clinical interview was 4%. The average of Barratt-Planning score was higher in patients who were not receiving HIV treatment than patients receiving it. There was a negative correlation between ASRS-IV scores and treatment compliance. Barratt-Impulsivity score was higher in individuals with multiple partners compared to individuals with a single partner. On sexually active patients, the average of Barratt-Total and Barratt-Motor mobility scores were higher in patients who did not know their partner's HIV status before they became HIV positive, compared to patients who knew their partner's HIV status. Conclusions: We found the prevalence of ADHD in HIV-positive individuals to be similar to the general population. The findings we obtained from the ASRS, Barratt and Morisky scales can be interpreted as HIV-positive patients with ADHD symptoms have poor compliance in starting and continuing treatment, and they don't show enough attention to not transmitting HIV to their partners. Although we could not reach a sufficient number of patients due to the Covid-19 pandemic, our research suggests that the presence of ADHD symptoms in HIV-positive patients has a role in the treatment compliance and the use of post-treatment contraception.