Implications of apathy and depression for everyday functioning in HIV/AIDS in Brazil

Brazil accounts for the largest number of HIV+ persons in Latin America, and this epidemic poses a significant public health burden in this country. Little is known about the neuropsychiatric and functional consequences of HIV infection in this population.

Participants were 43 HIV+ and 29 HIV- individuals who underwent a neuropsychological, psychiatric and neurological evaluation that included self-report measures of mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI-II), neurocognitive complaints (Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory) and declines in instrumental activities of daily living (Activities of Daily Living questionnaire). The MINI-Plus generated major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnoses. Apathy, defined as social withdrawal, decision-making difficulty, loss of interest and pleasure, was measured using items from the BDI-II and the neurological evaluation.

When compared with seronegative participants, HIV+ individuals endorsed higher levels of apathy spectrum symptoms. After adjusting for mood and other covariates, apathy significantly predicted worse everyday functioning.

The small sample size, along with the self-report measures used to evaluate apathy and functional difficulties limit the inferences that may be drawn from our findings.

Our Brazilian HIV+ cohort endorsed apathy and depression as well as significant functional complaints. Although correlated with depression, apathy was uniquely associated with functional difficulties. Clinical attention to apathy and depression in HIV-infected Brazilians may help identify patients at risk for functional difficulties who may benefit from additional support to maintain independence.