Evolution of depressive symptoms in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients entering primary care.
Our purpose was to examine among HIV-infected patients a) characteristics associated with depressive symptoms at initial primary care presentation and b) factors associated with improvement in depressive symptoms. We interviewed HIV-infected patients at initial presentation and reassessed them 6 months later. At baseline and follow-up, we collected data on depressive symptoms (CES-D) and other characteristics. Using multiple linear regression, we examined associations between CES-D score and baseline variables. We used multiple logistic regression to examine factors associated with improvement in depressive symptoms. Seventy-one percent of the baseline sample (N = 203) scored above the threshold considered indicative of depression. At 6 months, 36% of the subjects who were followed improved in depressive symptoms. Higher baseline CES-D scores, improvements in HIV-related symptoms, and joining a support group were associated with improvement. Depressive symptoms in this urban HIV-infected population were highly prevalent. It is essential to screen, identify, and treat depression among patients entering care for HIV disease. Encouragement in joining support groups is a reasonable component of a strategy for addressing this common condition.
Department of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts 02118, USA.
J B
JB
Savetsky
L M
LM
Sullivan
J
J
Clarke
M D
MD
Stein
J H
JH
Samet
D000328:Adult; D001900:Boston / Q000453:epidemiology; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011320:Primary Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011379:Prognosis; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012237:Rhode Island / Q000453:epidemiology; D012657:Self-Help Groups; D012944:Social Support; D014505:Urban Population