Suicide risk and prevalence of major depressive disorder (MDD) among individuals infected with HIV-1 subtype C versus B in Southern Brazil

Abstract

Major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric disorders associated with HIV infection; however, its risks and neurobiologic correlates in diverse cultures are poorly understood. This study aimed to examine the frequency of MDD among HIV+ participants in southern Brazil. We hypothesized that the frequency and severity of MDD would be higher among individuals HIV+ compared with HIV−, and higher in HIV subtype B compared with C. Individuals with HIV (n=39) as well as seronegative controls (n=22) were enrolled in a cross-sectional, prospective, observational study. Current and lifetime history of MDD was diagnosed by MINI-Plus; symptom severity was assessed by BDI-II. Current and past episodes of MDD were significantly more frequent in the HIV+ versus HIV− group: current MDD, 15 (38.5%) vs. 0 (0%), p = 0.0004; past MDD, 24 (61.5%) vs. 3 (13.6%), p = 0.0004. The median BDI-II score in the HIV+ group was significantly higher than in the HIV− (13 [8–27.5] vs. 2.5 [1–5.5]; p < 0.0001). Current suicide risk, defined as during the last month, was found in 18% of participants in the HIV-positive and in none in the HIV-negative group. Neither current MDD frequency (8 (57.1%) vs. 6 (40%), p = 0.47) nor BDI-II score differed across subtypes B and C. Conclusions HIV+ group may be more likely to experience current MMD than HIV−. This was the first study to compare the frequency and severity of MDD in HIV subtype B and C; we found no difference between HIV subtypes B or C.

Global overview of suicidal behavior and associated risk factors among people living with human immunodeficiency virus: A scoping review

“…Among the demographic factors, there were inconsistent risk factors for suicidal behavior such as gender (male [ 5 , 33 , 34 , 81 , 90 , 111 , 120 ], female [ 41 , 92 , 105 ]), age (young age [ 13 , 16 , 75 , 77 , 113 , 138 , 164 ], middle age[ 10 , 18 , 80 , 142 , 178 ], older age [ 9 ]), sexual orientation, education level, In respect to specific psychological symptoms and disorders, depression, substance abuse, anxiety, intravenous drug use, post-traumatic stress disorder, major mood disorders, and mental disorders were found to be consistent suicide risk factors [ 21 , 22 , 56 , 65 , 68 , 74 , 78 , 97 , 102 , 116 , 132 , 135 , 138 , 141 , 145 – 147 , 149 , 154 , 155 , 157 , 158 , 159 , 172 , 173 , 154 , 187 , 192 ]. Among th...…”

HIV Co-Morbidities and Multi-Morbidities

“…In this context it must be borne in mind that HIV-disease progression as well as the perceptions of deteriorations in health may induce further risk-taking behaviors and other forms of neuropsychiatric aberration, such as addictive behaviors [27][28][29][30]. Consequently, it seems no surprise that risk-analyses for suicidal behaviors are affected: with on-going real suicide risk, defined for occurence during the final month, displayed an incidence of 18% of of the patients in the HIV-positive cohort and no incidence in the HIV-negative cohort [31]. Finally, elevated levels of plasma pro-inflammatory cytokines induce the progression of depressive disorders and depressive-like behaviors in the HIVaffliected patients with the oset of co-morbid depression leading…”