Depression at Treatment Initiation Predicts HIV Antiretroviral Adherence in Uganda

We examined the relationship between depression (symptom type, diagnostic severity, and change over time) and adherence to HIV antiretroviral therapy (ART) with data from 3 longitudinal studies (N = 1021) of patients starting ART in Uganda. The Patient Health Questionnaire was used to assess depressive symptoms (total score; somatic and cognitive subscales) and categorize severity level. At baseline, 9% had major depression and 30% had minor depression; 82% were adherent (reported no missed ART doses in the past 7 days) at month 6 and 85% at month 12. Controlling for demographic and medical covariates, multivariate random-effects logistic regression models revealed that change in depression was not related to adherence; however, baseline total depression symptoms and cognitive symptoms in particular as well as major and minor depression were significant predictors of adherence. These findings highlight the need for early identification and aggressive treatment of depression to optimize ART adherence.