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Review
. 2019 Feb;16(1):82-95.
doi: 10.1007/s11904-019-00421-0.

HIV, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment in the Era of Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

Leah H Rubin  1   2 , Pauline M Maki  3   4
Affiliations
Review

HIV, Depression, and Cognitive Impairment in the Era of Effective Antiretroviral Therapy

Leah H Rubin et al. Curr HIV/AIDS Rep. 2019 Feb.

Abstract

Purpose of review: Mental health disorders, especially depression, are prevalent among people living with HIV (PLWH) and are associated with cognitive impairment (CI) among HIV-uninfected (HIV-) individuals. We conducted a comprehensive review of the link between depression and cognition among PLWH.

Recent findings: Studies examining depression and cognition in PLWH report high rates of current (median = 24%) and lifetime depression (42%). There is reliable evidence that depression is associated with overall CI among PLWH, and in the cognitive domains of processing speed, executive function, learning and memory, and motor function. Although few studies have examined the interaction between HIV serostatus and depression on CI, there is no evidence of a stronger association between CI and depression in PLWH compared with HIV- controls. Depression is prevalent and reliably associated with CI in PLWH, with an overall pattern of domain-specific associations similar to that of HIV- individuals.

Keywords: Cognitive impairment; Depression; Depressive symptoms; HAND; HIV.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
In the context of studies assessing depression and/or cognitive impairment, (A) prevalence of elevated depressive (Dep) symptoms and (B) cognitive impairment among HIV-infected (HIV+) and/or HIV-uninfected (HIV−) individuals. Note. *p<0.05; **p<0.01; Tp<0.10; circles bordered in orange reflect depression being assessed using structural clinical diagnostic interviews whereas the remaining were assessed using self-report questionnaires
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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