Implications of apathy and depression for everyday functioning in HIV/AIDS in Brazil.
J Affect Disord
; 150(3): 1069-75, 2013 Sep 25.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-23245465
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Brazil accounts for the largest number of HIV+ persons in Latin America, and this epidemic poses a significant public health burden in this country. Little is known about the neuropsychiatric and functional consequences of HIV infection in this population.METHODS:
Participants were 43 HIV+ and 29 HIV- individuals who underwent a neuropsychological, psychiatric and neurological evaluation that included self-report measures of mood (Beck Depression Inventory-II; BDI-II), neurocognitive complaints (Patient's Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory) and declines in instrumental activities of daily living (Activities of Daily Living questionnaire). The MINI-Plus generated major depressive disorder (MDD) diagnoses. Apathy, defined as social withdrawal, decision-making difficulty, loss of interest and pleasure, was measured using items from the BDI-II and the neurological evaluation.RESULTS:
When compared with seronegative participants, HIV+ individuals endorsed higher levels of apathy spectrum symptoms. After adjusting for mood and other covariates, apathy significantly predicted worse everyday functioning.LIMITATIONS:
The small sample size, along with the self-report measures used to evaluate apathy and functional difficulties limit the inferences that may be drawn from our findings.CONCLUSIONS:
Our Brazilian HIV+ cohort endorsed apathy and depression as well as significant functional complaints. Although correlated with depression, apathy was uniquely associated with functional difficulties. Clinical attention to apathy and depression in HIV-infected Brazilians may help identify patients at risk for functional difficulties who may benefit from additional support to maintain independence.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
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Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Infecções por HIV
/
Transtorno Depressivo Maior
/
Apatia
/
Atividades Humanas
Idioma:
En
Ano de publicação:
2013
Tipo de documento:
Article