Factors associated with a diagnosis of major depression among HIV-infected elderly patients.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is being increasingly reported among the elderly and major depression (MD) may be associated with suboptimal adherence to treatment. METHODS: Cross-sectional study on factors associated with MD among 72 HIV-infected elderly individuals. RESULTS: Twenty (27.7%) patients were found to have MD. The female gender (odds ratio [OR] = 10.65; p = 0.00586), a low CD4 count during the study (OR = 1.005247; p = 0.01539), and current smoking status (OR = 12.89; p = 0.01693) were independently associated with MD. CONCLUSIONS: Our data underscore the need to attentively search and treat MD among HIV-infected elderly patients.