Some believe that the behavioral and cognitive disorganization associated with serious mental illness make it unlikely that patients with such disorders can adhere to the complex regimens required for newer therapies that include a protease inhibitor (PI) or Non-Neucleoside Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitor (NNRTI). Yet findings on AZT adherence indicate that patients with schizophrenia were more adherent than other groups with HIV, suggesting that conservative prescribing may not have a solid empirical foundation. We report the first data on prescription of PI/NNRTI therapies for those a serious mental illness, using a data file created by a match between the New Jersey Medicaid eligibility file and the state HIV/AIDS Registry. Serious mental illness was defined as schizophrenia, bipolar illness, or recurrent major depression, and was identified using a previously developed case finding algorithm. Pharmacy claims with National Drug Codes were used to identify PI use and NNRTI use. For each year studied, patients with bipolar illness or recurrent major depression were significantly more likely to have received PI/NNRTI therapy than patients without a serious mental illness. Our preliminary results indicate that by 1998, the schizophrenia group was the most likely to receive PI/NNRTI therapy. Our future efforts will also explore continuation of PI/NNRTI therapy by this group.Interpretations, limitations, and implications will be discussed.
Learning Objectives: to become familiar with access and utilization patterns for people with HIV and schizophrenia
Keywords: HIV Interventions, Mental Illness
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
Disclosure not received
Relationship: Not Received.