Depression and suicidality in HIV/AIDS in China.
BACKGROUND
This pilot study examined rates of major depression and suicidality and their associations with daily functioning in HIV infected (HIV+) and uninfected (HIV-) persons in China.


METHODS
HIV+ participants (N=28) and demographically matched HIV- controls (N=23) completed the Chinese Composite International Diagnostic Interview to determine lifetime rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidality. Current mood and suicidal ideation were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-I. The impact of depression and HIV infection on daily functioning was measured by an Activity of Daily Living questionnaire.


RESULTS
Mean duration of known HIV+ status was 2 years. Almost 79% (n=22) of HIV+ but just 4% (n=1) of HIV- groups reported lifetime major depression. Of the 22 HIV+ individuals with lifetime MDD, only one had onset before learning of HIV status. The remainder developed MDD within 6 months after testing HIV positive. In those HIV+ subjects who met MDD criteria after HIV diagnosis, only two (9%) had received depression treatment, yet four (18%) had persisting active suicidal thoughts. Depression and HIV+ status independently predicted worse daily functioning.


CONCLUSIONS
Representativeness is limited in this small sample of convenience.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study presents evidence of high rates of major depression and suicidality in HIV-infected persons in China. Despite this, few had sought mental health assistance, suggesting a need to increase awareness of psychiatric comorbidity and access to mental health services.
Jin
Hua
H
HIV Neurobehavioral Research Center, University of California at San Diego, 150 W. Washington, 2nd Floor, San Diego, CA 92103, USA. hjin@ucsd.edu
Hampton Atkinson
J
J
Yu
Xin
X
Heaton
Robert K
RK
Shi
Chuan
C
Marcotte
Thomas P
TP
Young
Corinna
C
Sadek
Joseph
J
Wu
Zunyou
Z
Grant
Igor
I
D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D002681:China; D015897:Comorbidity; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D018023:HIV Seronegativity; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010555:Personality Inventory; D013405:Suicide / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*