Background: Depression appears to occur at a higher prevalence among HIV-positive people than among the general population. Treatment of depression in HIV patients either medically, or psychologically will increase HIV medication adherence which will affect its severity and progression.
The aim of the work: this study designed with the aim to detect the impact of depression and anxiety treatment with Serotonin inhibitors [SSRIs] and behavioral management in HIV patients on the severity, and progression of the disease in the terms of the CD⁴⁺ cell count and medication adherence.
Patients and Methods: This prospective interventional study was done on 120 HIV patients complaining of depression and anxiety. Depression and anxiety were assessed through the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale [HADS]. All patients were administered SSRIs and psychotherapy for 6 months. The CD⁴ count was measured before, and after the treatment.
Results: Patients had a high median score of HIV-related stigma: 19 [12–18.3], lower median scores of social supports: 15 [22–37], treatment adherence self-efficacy: 81 [89.3–115], physical quality of life: 33.4 [42.6–56.4], and mental quality of life: 31.9 [37.6–51.6]. As regards the HADS Cronbach's α, we found that it was 0.79 for anxiety, 0.76 for depression, and 0.87 for the total HADS. In terms of CD4 count, we found that there was no statistically significant difference in follow-up CD4 count after administration of anti-depressant and anti-anxiety treatment at study termination.
Conclusions: Depression could negatively affect the treatment of HIV. This can be due to HIV related stigma, lower social support, treatment adherence, and lower quality of life. However, the values of CD4 cannot used as a treatment indicator.