Longitudinal Associations of Psychiatric Risk Factors with Non-psychiatric Hospitalization in a Large Cohort of People Living with HIV in New York City

Hospitalizations among people living with HIV (PLWH) are frequent and costly. This study examined the association between psychiatric, HIV-related, and demographic factors and hospitalization rates among PLWH using data from the Einstein–Rockefeller-City University of New York Center for AIDS Research Clinical Cohort Database. Of the 10,215 PLWH included in the sample, 45% had at least one non-psychiatric hospitalization between 2009 and 2018, with significant risk factors including prior psychiatric outpatient visits, depression, or alcohol-related disorder diagnoses, female sex, older age, CD4 count < 500 cells/uL, and detectable viral load. Additionally, 14% had an HIV-related hospitalization, with significant risk factors including prior psychiatric outpatient visits, alcohol- and substance-related disorder diagnoses, female sex, older age, CD4 count < 500 cells/uL, and detectable viral load. The study emphasizes the need for tailored interventions, including integrated treatment and comprehensive case management, for PLWH with comorbid psychiatric disorders, women, and older adults.