Anxiety and depression among HIV-positive subjects:: prevalence and risk factors

Objective: the aim of the study was to determine the rates of depressive and anxiety disorders among HIV-positive subjects, and to identify risk factors for these disorders. Method: 31 seropositive outpatients treated in a day hospital care unit were included. None of them had AIDS. Each patient was assessed with a semi-structured interview (Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview) giving DSM-IV diagnoses. Scores of depression and anxiety were evaluated using the MADRS, the CES-D and the COVI. The Social Support Questionnaire was used to assess social support. Results: in our sample, more than one out of three the subjects presented with a current diagnosis of depressive disorder (major depressive disorder or dysthymia) and 38.7% with a diagnosis of anxiety disorder. An association was found between a low degree of satisfaction with the social support and a current diagnosis of anxiety and/or depressive disorder. We also found that subjects with a short time elapsed since the serostatus notification were more likely present with a current depressive disorder.