Nature of depression in patients with HIV/AIDS.
OBJECTIVE
Existing research suggests that the rate of depressive illness and depressive symptoms are high in people living with HIV/AIDS, but investigations on the causes of depression provide conflicting results. Social, psychological and biological factors have all been suggested as possible causes of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS. The suggestion that depression may be the result of the neurotropic effects of the virus on the central nervous system leading to an 'organic' or secondary depression has major implications in the treatment of HIV/AIDS. The aim of the current study was to further investigate the nature and underlying aetiology of depression in people living with HIV/AIDS.


METHODS
One hundred and twenty-nine people living with HIV/AIDS recruited for the study from outpatients clinics and primary care settings completed a range of self-report symptom measures including the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), SF-36, SPHERE and a personality measure, the NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI). They also completed a battery of neuropsychological tests (CANTAB) and a structured clinical interview (SCID-DSM-IV). Medical and sociodemographic data were also recorded.


RESULTS
Approximately one-third scored > or = 14 on the BDI and 27% met criteria for a current 'mood disorder' on the SCID. Depressive symptoms were strongly related to personality style, having a past psychiatric history and current stressful psychosocial situation. There was no association between depression and HIV disease status. There was no evidence in this study cohort of a distinct subtype of 'organic' or secondary depression.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that at least for 'well' people living with HIV/AIDS, there is no distinct subtype of depression and early treatment approaches can be modelled on those used for other non-HIV groups. Further longitudinal studies will be required to dissect out the multiple factors underlying depression in HIV/AIDS.
Judd
Fiona
F
Centre for Rural Mental Health, School of Psychiatry, Psychology and Psychological Medicine, Monash University, PO Box 126, Bendigo, Victoria 3552, Australia. fjudd@bendigohealth.org.au
Komiti
Angela
A
Chua
Phyllis
P
Mijch
Anne
A
Hoy
Jennifer
J
Grech
Paul
P
Street
Alan
A
Lloyd
John
J
Williams
Ben
B
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D000328:Adult; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D014739:Victoria