Declines in dietary macronutrient intake in persons with HIV infection who develop depression.
BACKGROUND
The effect of depression on dietary intake has not, to our knowledge, been examined in persons with HIV infection.


METHODS
We conducted a longitudinal analysis of participants in the Nutrition for Healthy Living Study (NFHL). We measured changes in dietary macronutrient intake in participants who developed depression and, using multiple regression analysis, compared the changes with a control group of patients who did not become depressed.


RESULTS
Ninety patients developed depression during the observation period, and we compared these with 152 non-depressed controls. The two groups had similar age and body mass index (BMI) at baseline, but those who developed depression were more likely to be female, less educated and had lower incomes. After adjustment, compared with non-depressed participants, those who developed depression had significantly greater decreases in the following daily intakes: total energy (-341 kcal, P = 0.006), protein (-12.3 g, P = 0.02), total fat (-18.5 g, P = 0.008), carbohydrate (-36.8 g, P = 0.02), total fibre (-4.3 g, P = 0.001) and saturated fat (-6.7 g, P = 0.01). There were no significant differences in the daily intakes of simple sugars and long-chain n-3 fatty acids, or BMI.


CONCLUSIONS
Depression is associated with decreases in total daily energy intake and in six of the eight dietary components we measured. Clinicians should be aware that depression-associated nutritional deficiencies may complicate the care of persons with HIV.
Isaac
Rita
R
1Nutrition/Infection Unit, Department of Public Health and Family Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, USA.
Jacobson
Denise
D
Wanke
Christine
C
Hendricks
Kristy
K
Knox
Tamsin A
TA
Wilson
Ira B
IB
D000328:Adult; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D004032:Diet; D015930:Diet Records; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D017741:Survivors; D019562:Viral Load