title: HIV infection and depression.
abstract: Major depression is highly prevalent among HIV-positive patients (HIVpp). The prevalence of depression ranges between 18% and 81%, depending on the population studied and the methodology of the study. The etiology of depression in HIVpp is likely determined by: (i) biological factors (alterations in the white matter structure, hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid dysfunction, Tat-protein-induced depressive behavior); (ii) psychosocial factors (HIV stigma, occupational disability, body image changes, isolation and debilitation); (iii) history or comorbidity of psychiatric illness; and (iv) the perinatal period in HIVpp women. Symptomatology of depression differs between HIVpp and HIV-negative patients (HIVnp). Depression may also alter the function of lymphocytes in HIVpp and decrease natural killer cell activity, contributing to the increased mortality in these patients. Selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors are considered the first-line treatment. Treatment of depression can improve quality of life and lead to a better prognosis of HIV infection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Democritus University of Thrace, Alexandroupolis, Greece.
authors.forename: Stylianos
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Arseniou
authors.forename: Aikaterini
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Arvaniti
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Samakouri
mesh_terms: D015897:Comorbidity; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D057545:Social Stigma
keywords: HIV; anti‐retroviral therapy; clinical manifestations; depression; risk factors