DEPRESSIVE SYMPTOMS OVER THE COURSE OF HIV-INFECTION BEFORE AIDS

The objective of this study was to describe the prevalence and course of depressive symptoms before AIDS in HIV-infected homosexual men, A d escriptive and comparative analysis of data from HIV-infected and -uni nfected homosexual men in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study was perfor med. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D) was the primary measure of depressive symptoms. The prevalence of depress ive symptoms and CES-D case-ness estimates in the AIDS-free HIV-infect ed homosexual men were stable over time, Small differences between HIV seropositive and seronegative men were detected on the CES-D and on t hree of its subscales. These were mostly accounted for by less hope, a nd by more fearfulness, insomnia, and anorexia in the seropositive coh ort, We concluded that there does not appear to be an overall increase in depressive symptoms in HIV-infected homosexual men from the time o f infection until prior to AIDS. However, this group of men consistent ly report specific depressive symptoms more often. Implications of the se findings for the clinical care of HIV-infected patients is discusse d.