DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS IN PATIENTS WITH HIV-INFECTION

Objective: The aim of the paper was to assess the frequency and severi ty of depressive symptoms amongst HIV positive patients attending an o ut-patient treatment clinic. Method: One hundred HIV positive patients attending the out-patient clinic at Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne, co mpleted the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). Results: Forty-four patie nts scored 14 or more on the BDI, No significant relationship was demo nstrated between BDI score and living situation, relationship status, duration of known seropositivity, current CD4 count, or Centres for Di sease Control (CDC) category of illness, Significantly more patients s coring in the depressed range were unable to work because of illness, Forty patients reported suicidal ideation. Conclusions: Depressive sym ptoms and suicidal ideation are common amongst HIV positive patients, occurring at comparable or greater rates than those found in a variety of other medically ill populations.