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Measuring Frailty in HIV-infected Individuals. Identification of Frail Patients is the First Step to Amelioration and Reversal of Frailty
Published on: July 24, 2013
Depressive symptoms in HIV-infected patients treated with highly active antiretroviral therapy
Marysabel Pinto Telis Silveira1, Marília Cruz Guttier, Cezar Arthur Tavares Pinheiro
1Pharmacy Course, Universidade Federal do Pampa, Uruguaiana, Brazil.
Introduction:
The prevalence of depressive disorders in HIV-infected patients ranges from 12% to 66% and is undiagnosed in 50% to 60% of these patients. Depression in HIV-infected individuals may be associated with poor antiretroviral treatment (ART) outcomes, since it may direct influence compliance.
Objective:
To assess the presence of symptoms and risk factors for depression in patients on ART.
Methods:
Cross-sectional study. Certified interviewers administered questionnaires and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and participants' self-reported compliance to ART. Clinical and laboratory variables were obtained from clinical records. Patients with BDI > 12 were defined as depressed. RESULTS Out of the 250 patients invited to participate, 246 (98%) consented. Mean age was 41 ± 9.9 years; most were male (63%). Income ranged from 0-14 Brazilian minimum wages. AIDS (CDC stage C) had been diagnosed in 97%, and 81% were in stable immune status. One hundred ninety-one (78%) reported compliance, and 161 (68%) had undetectable viral loads. The prevalence of depressive symptoms was 32% (95% CI 26-40). In multivariate analysis, depressive symptoms were significantly associated with income (prevalence ratio [PR] = 0.85; 95% CI 0.74-0.97; p = 0.02).
Conclusions:
Depressive symptoms are frequent in patients on ART, and are associated with low income.
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