A Comparison of Clinical Features among Patients Suffering from Depression in HIV Positive and HIV Negative Cases.

ABSTRACT

Background: Depression is common in patients with HIV/AIDS, and its identification and treatment are critically important in disease management. HIV positive individuals have a estimated prevalence rate of depression about 22% - 45% compared with 15% of general population. This study compared the clinical features of major depressive disorder between HIV-Positive and HIV-negative patients with a view to intervention strategies. Method: A comparative, descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out on 50 HIV-Positive depressed patients and 50 HIV-negative depressed patients in ICTC centre of Civil hospital, Gurdaspur. They were compared along the parameters of clinical features of depression and physical examination. Results: Compared to HIV-Negative patients, HIV positive patients were more likely to have a medical illness and taking medication before onset of depression, symptomatically compared to HIV-Negative patients. HIV-Positive patients had poorer sleep, felt more easily tired, more appetite changes, more suicidal ideation. Conclusion: These findings show that the clinical and associated features of depression differ between HIV-Positive and HIV-Negative patients, thus requiring different management approaches and further studies related to HIV-related depression.