Recurrent major depressive disorder among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive and HIV-negative intravenous drug users: Findings of a 3-year longitudinal study

A longitudinal study was conducted to investigate the association between h uman immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, history of major depressive di sorder (MDD), and persistent or recurrent MDD among intravenous drug users. Psychiatric disorders were assessed in a sample of HIV-positive (HIV+) and HIV-negative (HIV-) intravenous drug users every 6 months for 3 years. Res ults indicated that HIV status and baseline MDD independently predicted per sistent or recurrent episodes of MDD after gender, drug use, ethnicity, inc ome, and the presence other psychiatric disorders were controlled statistic ally. Among HIV+ intravenous drug users with baseline MDD, 90% experienced at least one subsequent episode of MDD and 47% experienced at least three s ubsequent episodes of MDD. However, less than 40% of intravenous drug users with current MDD received treatment for emotional problems. These findings indicate that intravenous drug users with HIV infection and a history of M DD are at considerable risk for future episodes of MDD or recurrent MDD, an d that increased provision of treatment for intravenous drug users with MDD may be necessary. Copyright (C) 1999 by W.B. Saunders Company.