Citation

Sullivan LE, Saitz R, Cheng DM, Libman H, Nunes D, Samet JH. Addiction 2008; 103(9): 1461-1467.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2008, John Wiley and Sons)

DOI

10.1111/j.1360-0443.2008.02245.x

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

Aims  To examine the impact of alcohol use on depressive symptoms in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)‐infected patients.

Design  Data were collected at 6‐month intervals and analyzed to evaluate the association between alcohol dependence and consumption on depressive symptoms using longitudinal mixed‐effects regression models controlling for specified covariates.

Measurements  The two independent variables were current alcohol dependence assessed using the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) and past month consumption (heavy versus not heavy drinking) using a validated calendar‐based method. The primary outcome was depressive symptoms as measured by the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES‐D).

Participants  HIV‐infected adults with current or past alcohol problems.

Findings  Alcohol dependence and heavy alcohol use were significantly associated with higher CES‐D scores in unadjusted models. In adjusted analyses, the association of current alcohol dependence persisted [mean difference in CES‐D was 3.49 for dependence versus non‐dependence; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.76–5.22]; however, the effect of heavy drinking was no longer statistically significant (mean difference in CES‐D was 1.04 for heavy versus not heavy drinking; 95% CI: −0.24–2.32).

Conclusions  Alcohol use is associated with more depressive symptoms in HIV‐infected patients with alcohol problems. This association remains significant after adjusting for potential confounders only when alcohol use meets the criteria for alcohol dependence.