Depression in young HIV-positive patients is associated with anemia

Aim. To examine the interrelation between depression and anemia in HIV-positive patients. Methods. A cross-sectional study included 99 HIV-positive patients. Anemia was defined as hemoglobin concentration below 12 g/dL in women and 13 g/dL in men. Depressive symptoms were measured using the Beck Hopelessness Scale. Results. Anemia was registered in 30.3% of patients. In 54.5% of patients depression was detected (Beck Scale score ≥10). In patients with anemia the prevalence of depression was 76.7% including severe depression in 20% of patients. Mean Beck Scale score in anemia group was significantly higher compared to the group without anemia (17.57±12.90%, 95% confidence interval 13.5-20.5 and 10.06±8.07, 95% confidence interval 7.7-12.3, t=3.2, p=0.007 relevantly). Moderate reverse correlation between Beck scale scores and hemoglobin level was revealed ((r=-0.24, p=0.019). After stratification and adjusting for potential confounders, anemia was found to be associated with higher prevalence of depression in patients younger than 40 years old. The prevalence ratio for depression in patients with anemia, comparing to patients without anemia was 1.827 (95% confidence interval 1.28-2.61, λ2=8.85, p=0.0029) in this age group. Detected association did not depend on sex, family status, disease duration, CD4-level and treatment with antiretrovirals. Conclusion. Depressive symptoms are associated with anemia in HIV-patients younger than 40 years old.

HIV-infection, anemia, depression