DISEASE SEVERITY, PHYSICAL LIMITATIONS AND DEPRESSION IN HIV-INFECTEDMEN

Previous research has failed to identify a consistent relationship bet ween HIV disease severity and depression. However, HIV/AIDS can lead t o substantial physical limitations in those with advanced disease, whi ch may influence mood. This study examined the extent to which HIV dis ease severity and physical limitations were associated with depressive symptoms in 49 HIV-infected men at the final stages of a 5-year prosp ective study. No differences were found in depression or quality of li fe among men who were asymptomatic, symptomatic, or diagnosed with AID S. Forty-three percent of subjects reported substantial physical limit ations, which were associated with higher depression scores and poorer qualify of life. Degree of physical limitation predicted depression c oncurrently as well as depression 6 months later, after controlling fo r disease stage, physical symptoms, and CD4 cell counts. Findings sugg est that physical limitations are more important than laboratory marke rs of disease progression in understanding psychological adjustment to illness in HIV-infected men. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Inc.