title: Depressive symptoms and neurocognitive performance among HIV-infected women.
abstract: The aims of this article were to explore the relationship between depressive symptoms and neuropsychological performance in a sample of HIV-infected women, and to examine the contribution of demographic, HIV-related variables, and depressive symptoms to neurocognitive performance. In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 103 HIV-infected women, recruited from February to December 2010, were assessed for depressive symptoms (with the Beck Depression Inventory) and neurocognitive performance (with the HIV Dementia Scale). Severe depressive symptoms were reported by 31.1% of the women. Findings indicated that severe levels of depressive symptoms were significantly associated with reduced cognitive functioning in HIV-infected women, particularly in domains of attention, psychomotor speed, and construction. Older age and low education level were significantly associated with neurocognitive impairment in univariate analyses. In the multivariate model, only depressive symptoms were significantly related to neurocognitive impairment. Compared to participants with none/minimal depressive symptoms, those with moderate and severe depressive symptoms had odds ratios for neurocognitive impairment of 5.03 (95% CI, 1.33-18.99) and 3.22 (95% CI, 1.15-9.06), respectively. These findings support continued investigation of the presence of neurocognitive impairment, particularly among women, and may help mental health providers with early detection, planning, and implementation of more effective interventions. The current study was supported by Abbott Laboratories, Portugal.
authors.affiliation: Association for Research and Development of the Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal.
authors.forename: Renata Margalho
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Fialho
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pereira
authors.forename: Nuno
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mendonça
authors.forename: Sílvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ouakinin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001288:Attention; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D009483:Neuropsychological Tests; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011597:Psychomotor Performance; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents