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Depression Symptoms and Treatment Among HIV Infected and Uninfected Veterans

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Abstract

Depression is one of the most common comorbid conditions affecting persons with HIV. We compared depressive symptoms and depression treatment using data from the Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS), a prospective cohort of HIV-infected and uninfected subjects. We identified subjects with a Patient Health Questionnaire score of 10 or greater. Treatment was defined as prescription of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) or mental health counseling. Overall, 16% of 4,480 subjects had depressive symptoms, and HIV-infected patients were more likely to have had depressive symptoms (OR = 1.38, 95% CI = 1.18, 1.62). Geographic site of care and having a mental health provider at the clinic was associated with treatment. In multivariable models restricted to 732 patients with depressive symptoms, receipt of depression treatment did not differ by HIV status (Adjusted OR = 1.11, 95% CI = 0.80, 1.54). Non-Hispanic whites were more likely to receive treatment (Adjusted OR = 2.09, 95% CI 1.04, 4.24). Primary care and HIV providers were equally unlikely to treat active depressive symptoms. Treatment variation by race, site, and availability of a mental health provider, suggests targets for intervention.

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Acknowledgements

This work was funded by National Institute on Alcohol and Alcohol Abuse (U01 AA 13566 and U10 AA 13566), National Institute of Aging (K23 AG00826), Robert Wood Johnson Generalist Faculty Scholar Award, an Inter-agency Agreement between NIA, National Institute of Mental Health.

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Correspondence to Amy C. Justice.

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The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.

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Sueoka, K., Goulet, J.L., Fiellin, D.A. et al. Depression Symptoms and Treatment Among HIV Infected and Uninfected Veterans. AIDS Behav 14, 272–279 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9428-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-008-9428-7

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