Depression Among HIV-infected Patients in Korea: Assessment of Clinical Significance and Risk Factors.
- Author:
Joon Young SONG
1
;
Jin Soo LEE
;
Yu Bin SEO
;
In Seon KIM
;
Ji Youn NOH
;
Ji Hyeon BAEK
;
Hee Jin CHEONG
;
Woo Joo KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords: HIV; Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome; Depression; Anxiety
- MeSH: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Anxiety; Appointments and Schedules; Coat Protein Complex I; Comorbidity; Demography; Depression; HIV; HIV Infections; Humans; Life Expectancy; Lost to Follow-Up; Prevalence; Risk Factors; RNA; T-Lymphocytes; Unemployment; Surveys and Questionnaires
- From:Infection and Chemotherapy 2013;45(2):211-216
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
- Abstract: BACKGROUND: With prolonged life expectancies, mental illness has emerged as a disabling disorder among people with HIV. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted to assess the prevalence of depression and its risk factors among Korean patients with HIV infections. Eighty-two HIV-infected patients completed structured questionnaires including the Beck Depression Inventory and the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Subjects with depression were compared to those without depression in terms of demographics, comorbidities, CD4 T-cell count, RNA copy numbers, highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimens, and adherence. RESULTS: The estimated depression rate was 21% (17 of 82 subjects). Comorbidities (47% vs. 20%, P = 0.01) and unemployment (65% vs. 31%, P = 0.02) were risk factors for depression. Depressive patients were more likely to be anxious (71% vs. 29%, P < 0.01), to frequently miss clinical appointments each year (P = 0.04), and to have higher cumulative time lost to follow-up per month (P <0.01) compared to non-depressive patients. Only three depressive patients were referred to neuropsychologists. CONCLUSIONS: More than 20% of the Korean HIV patients in this study suffered from depression associated with poor adherence. Considering the low level of recognition of depression by clinicians, risk factor-based active assessment is recommended to manage depression properly in HIV-infected patients.
