Depression and suicidality in HIV/AIDS in China

• Published in: Journal of affective disorders Vol. 94; no. 1; pp. 269 - 275
• Main Authors: Jin, Hua, Hampton Atkinson, J., Yu, Xin, Heaton, Robert K., Shi, Chuan, Marcotte, Thomas P., Young, Corinna, Sadek, Joseph, Wu, Zunyou, Grant, Igor
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 01.08.2006; Elsevier
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - ethnology; Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome - psychology; Activities of Daily Living - psychology; Adult; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - ethnology; Asian Continental Ancestry Group - psychology; Biological and medical sciences; China; Comorbidity; Cross-Cultural Comparison; Depression; Depressive Disorder, Major - diagnosis; Depressive Disorder, Major - ethnology; Depressive Disorder, Major - psychology; Feasibility Studies; Female; HIV Infections - ethnology; HIV Infections - psychology; HIV Seronegativity; HIV, AIDS; Human viral diseases; Humans; Immunodeficiencies; Immunodeficiencies. Immunoglobulinopathies; Immunopathology; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Mood disorders; Personality Inventory; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Suicide; Suicide - ethnology; Suicide - psychology; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Asia; China; Suicide; Depression; HIV, AIDS; Mood disorder; Immunopathology; Retroviridae; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Infection; Virus; HIV; Viral disease; AIDS; Depression; Suicide; Human immunodeficiency virus
• ISSN: 0165-0327; 1573-2517
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jad.2006.04.013

This pilot study examined rates of major depression and suicidality and their associations with daily functioning in HIV infected (HIV+) and uninfected (HIV−) persons in China. HIV+ participants ( N = 28) and demographically matched HIV− controls ( N = 23) completed the Chinese Composite International Diagnostic Interview to determine lifetime rates of major depressive disorder (MDD) and suicidality. Current mood and suicidal ideation were assessed with the Beck Depression Inventory-I. The impact of depression and HIV infection on daily functioning was measured by an Activity of Daily Living questionnaire. Mean duration of known HIV+ status was 2 years. Almost 79% ( n = 22) of HIV+ but just 4% ( n = 1) of HIV− groups reported lifetime major depression. Of the 22 HIV+ individuals with lifetime MDD, only one had onset before learning of HIV status. The remainder developed MDD within 6 months after testing HIV positive. In those HIV+ subjects who met MDD criteria after HIV diagnosis, only two (9%) had received depression treatment, yet four (18%) had persisting active suicidal thoughts. Depression and HIV+ status independently predicted worse daily functioning. Representativeness is limited in this small sample of convenience. This preliminary study presents evidence of high rates of major depression and suicidality in HIV-infected persons in China. Despite this, few had sought mental health assistance, suggesting a need to increase awareness of psychiatric comorbidity and access to mental health services.