Quality of life and depression among HIV-infected patients receiving efavirenz- or protease inhibitor-based therapy in Senegal.
BACKGROUND
Efavirenz has been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, but little is known about depression and quality of life in sub-Saharan Africa, where nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NNRTI)-based regimens are still the first-line treatment recommended by the World Heath Organization (WHO) and are widely prescribed.


METHODS
In a cross-sectional study, we evaluated quality of life and depression among Senegalese patients receiving efavirenz- or protease inhibitor (PI)-based regimens. Two hundred consecutive patients who had been taking highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) for more than 6 months were asked to complete a questionnaire.


RESULTS
According to the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), 18% had depression (19% for patients on a PI-based regimen and 17% for patients on efavirenz-based treatment). Fifty-nine per cent of the patients reported no health problems in the past 4 weeks. A quarter of patients had sleep disorders. Moderate or slight adverse events were reported by 28.5% of patients.


CONCLUSIONS
Quality of life and depression scores remained good in both study groups. However, quality of life and depression should be monitored in follow-up of HIV-infected patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
Poupard
M
M
Institut de Médecine et d'Epidémiologie Appliquée, Hôpital Bichat-Claude Bernard, Paris, France. mariepoupard@yahoo.fr
Ngom Gueye
N F
NF
Thiam
D
D
Ndiaye
B
B
Girard
P M
PM
Delaporte
E
E
Sow
P S
PS
Landman
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D048588:Benzoxazines / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D003863:Depression / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012675:Senegal / Q000453:epidemiology; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced
D000480:Alkynes; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents; D048588:Benzoxazines; D003521:Cyclopropanes; D017320:HIV Protease Inhibitors; C098320:efavirenz