Lymphocyte subsets and viral load in male AIDS patients with major depression: naturalistic study

The need for an integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression

Introduction: The coexistence of depression and HIV infection affects more than 9 million people worldwide. A literature review revealed a large gap regarding the pharmacotherapy of depression among patients dually diagnosed with HIV and depression.Areas covered:In this review, the authors covered the various dimensions of deploying integrated pharmacological treatment of HIV/AIDS and depression. This topic was addressed in two ways; first, the direct results of integrated pharmacotherapy in syndemic patients; second, the indirect effects of the integrated model on other outcomes of HIV care.Expert opinion: An integrated pharmacological response to the treatment of HIV and depression can bring substantial benefits to HIV outcomes and reduce the burden of both diseases. The direct advantages regarding pharmacological response to the treatment of depression along with HIV care are improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy, optimizing pharmacotherapy, minimizing drug interaction, and prevention of additive adverse drug reactions. Furthermore, in some cases, medication can target both depression and other neuropsychiatric or somatic comorbidities among people living with HIV/AIDS. The integrated pharmacotherapy also has some potential indirect advantages on HIV care outcomes like minimizing loss of care, reducing ongoing HIV transmission, and improving the outcomes of both diseases.

Prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among people living with HIV/AIDS in China: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

The number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHA) in China continues to increase. Depression, a common mental disorder in this population, may confer a higher likelihood of worse health outcomes. An estimate of the prevalence of this disorder among PLHA is required to guide public health policy, but the published results vary widely and lack accuracy in China. The goal of this study was to estimate the pooled prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms among PLHA in China.

METHODS

A systematic literature search of several databases was conducted from inception to June 2017, focusing on studies reporting on depression or depressive symptoms among PLHA in China. The risk of bias of individual studies was assessed using a modified version of the Newcastle-Ottawa scale. The overall prevalence estimates were pooled using random-effects meta-analysis. Differences according to study-level characteristics were examined using stratified meta-analysis and meta-regression.

RESULTS

Seventy-four observational studies including a total of 20,635 PLHA were included. The pooled prevalence of depression or depressive symptoms was 50.8% (95% CI: 46.0-55.5%) among general PLHA, 43.9% (95% CI: 36.2-51.9%) among HIV-positive men who have sex with men, 85.6% (95% CI: 64.1-95.2%) among HIV-positive former blood/plasma donors, and 51.6% (95% CI: 31.9-70.8%) among other HIV-positive populations. Significant heterogeneity was detected across studies regarding these prevalence estimates. Heterogeneity in the prevalence of depression among the general population of PLHA was partially explained by the geographic location and baseline survey year.

CONCLUSIONS

Because of the significant heterogeneity detected across studies regarding these prevalence estimates of depression or depressive symptoms, the results must be interpreted with caution. Our findings suggest that the estimates of depression or depressive symptoms among PLHA in China are considerable, which highlights the need to integrate screening and providing treatment for mental disorders in the treatment package offered to PLHA, which would ultimately lead to better health outcomes in PLHA.

Influence of comorbidities on CD4+/CD8+ proportion in HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina: a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION

The objective was to identify comorbidities related to HIV-positive patients in Blumenau, State of Santa Catarina.

METHODS

A retrospective, descriptive observational design study which analyzed data from 424 patients assisted by the sexually transmitted disease/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (STD/AIDS) Specialized Care Service (SCS).

RESULTS

Of 424 medical records analyzed, 388 patients presented CD4+/CD8+ ratios lower than 1. The most prevalent comorbidities were smoking, depression, alcoholism, and herpes zoster infection, in males and females.

CONCLUSIONS

The most relevant comorbidity in both genders was herpes zoster, an important marker of immunity in patients. The lowest mean was observed among patients with neurotoxoplasmosis.

Cognitive impairment in patients with AIDS - prevalence and severity

The advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy has prolonged the life expectancy of HIV patients and decreased the number of adults who progress to AIDS and HIV-associated dementia. However, neurocognitive deficits remain a pronounced consequence of HIV/AIDS. HIV-1 infection targets the central nervous system in subcortical brain areas and leads to high rates of delirium, depression, opportunistic central nervous system infections, and dementia. Long-term HIV replication in the brain occurs in astrocytes and microglia, allowing the virus to hide from antiviral medication and later compromise neuronal function. The associated cognitive disturbance is linked to both viral activity and inflammatory and other mediators from these immune cells that lead to the damage associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, a general term given for these disturbances. We review the severity and prevalence of the neuropsychiatric complications of HIV including delirium, neurobehavioral impairments (depression), minor cognitive-motor dysfunction, and HIV-associated dementia.

An intriguing and hitherto unexplained co-occurrence: Depression and chronic fatigue syndrome are manifestations of shared inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative (IO&NS) pathways

There is a significant 'comorbidity' between depression and myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Depressive symptoms frequently occur during the course of ME/CFS. Fatigue and somatic symptoms (F&S), like pain, muscle tension, and a flu-like malaise, are key components of depression. At the same time, depression and ME/CFS show major clinical differences, which allow to discriminate them with a 100% accuracy. This paper aims to review the shared pathways that underpin both disorders and the pathways that discriminate them. Numerous studies have shown that depression and ME/CFS are characterized by shared aberrations in inflammatory, oxidative and nitrosative (IO&NS) pathways, like systemic inflammation and its long-term sequels, including O&NS-induced damage to fatty acids, proteins and DNA; dysfunctional mitochondria; lowered antioxidant levels, like zinc and coenzyme Q10; autoimmune responses to neoepitopes formed by O&NS; lowered omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid levels; and increased translocation of gram-negative bacteria. Some IO&NS-related pathways, like the induction of indoleamine 2-3-dioxygenase, neurodegeneration and decreased neurogenesis, are more specific to depression, whereas other pathways, like the 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase/RNase L pathway, are specific to ME/CFS. Most current animal models of depression, e.g. those induced by cytokines, are not reminiscent of human depression but reflect a mixture of depressive and F&S symptoms. The latter symptoms, sometimes called sickness behavior, differ from depression and ME/CFS because the former is a (sub)acute response to infection-induced pro-inflammatory cytokines that aims to enhance recovery, whereas the latter are characterized by long-term sequels in multiple IO&NS pathways. Depression and ME/CFS are not 'comorbid' disorders, but should be regarded as 'co-associated disorders' that are clinical manifestations of shared pathways.

Burden of depression among impoverished HIV-positive women in Peru

OBJECTIVES

In resource-poor settings, the mental health burden among HIV-positive women is exacerbated by poverty. We sought to describe the extent, risk factors, and experience of depression among impoverished HIV-positive women living in Lima, Peru.

METHODS

This is a case series of 78 HIV-positive women in Lima, Peru. We measured depression, stigma, and social support and performed a multivariable analysis to identify factors associated with depression.

RESULTS

Among 78 HIV-positive patients, 68% were depressed. Depression and suicidal ideation were rarely diagnosed by providers. In multivariable analysis, HIV-related stigma and food scarcity were associated with depression.

CONCLUSIONS

In our cohort of HIV-positive women in Lima, Peru, poverty and socioeconomic vulnerability contributed to depression. Findings highlight the heavy burden of depression in this cohort of poor women and the need to incorporate mental health services as an integral component of HIV care.