Disease Progression in HIV-Positive Women With Moderate to Severe Immunosuppression: The Role of Depression

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Abstract
Thirty-seven HIV-positive women were recruited in a 2-year prospective investigation into the role of depression in HIV disease progression. All participants had CD4+ cell counts of 200 or less at baseline and at least 3 CD4+ cell counts during follow-up. Participants were evaluated semiannually for CD4+ lymphocyte counts, B2 Microglobulin (B2M), hemoglobin data, and new AIDS-defining illnesses. The Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale was used to assess for depressed mood. Over time, average rates of change in CD4+ counts did not differ significantly between depressed and nondepressed women, even after adjustment for age, antiretroviral use, and baseline CD4 count, and depressed women did not differ from nondepressed women in numbers of new AIDS-defining illnesses. The authors concluded that depression may not be a significant determinant of disease progression in women with advanced disease and called for further investigations with larger samples and women at earlier stages of the infection.