Depressive symptoms, neurocognitive impairment, and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy among HIV-infected persons

Psychosomatics. 2004 Sep-Oct;45(5):394-402. doi: 10.1176/appi.psy.45.5.394.

Abstract

The association of depressive symptoms, neurocognitive impairment, and adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) was evaluated in 135 HIV-infected persons. Thirty percent reported nonadherence to HAART. Depressive symptoms (assessed with the Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale) and neurocognitive impairment (assessed with a neuropsychological test battery) were documented in 24% and 12%, respectively, of the study participants. Nonadherence to HAART was independently associated with worse depression rating scale scores (odds ratio=1.05, 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.00-1.10), acquisition of HIV through injection of drugs (odds ratio=2.59, 95% CI=1.05-6.39), and complaints about impairment of sexual activity (odds ratio=6.62, 95% CI=1.16-37.6). The presence of depressive symptoms, but not neurocognitive impairment, was associated with nonadherence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods*
  • Brain / physiopathology*
  • Cognition Disorders / diagnosis
  • Cognition Disorders / epidemiology
  • Cognition Disorders / physiopathology*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Depression / epidemiology
  • Depression / etiology*
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neuropsychological Tests
  • Patient Compliance / statistics & numerical data*