Citation

Judd FK, Mijch AM. Aust. N. Zeal. J. Psychiatry 1996; 30(1): 104-109.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1996, Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, Publisher SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.3109/00048679609076077

PMID

8724332

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the paper was to assess the frequency and severity of depressive symptoms amongst HIV positive patients attending an out-patient treatment clinic.
METHOD: One hundred HIV positive patients attending the out-patient clinic at Fairfield Hospital, Melbourne, completed the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI).
RESULTS: Forty-four patients scored 14 or more on the BDI. No significant relationship was demonstrated between BDI score and living situation, relationship status, duration of known seropositivity, current CD4 count, or Centres for Disease Control (CDC) category of illness. Significantly more patients scoring in the depressed range were unable to work because of illness. Forty patients reported suicidal ideation.
CONCLUSIONS: Depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation are common amongst HIV positive patients, occurring at comparable or greater rates than those found in a variety of other medically ill populations.

Language: en

Keywords

Adult; Ambulatory Care; Cross-Sectional Studies; Depression; Depressive Disorder; Female; HIV Infections; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Personality Inventory; Psychometrics; Sick Role; Suicide; Suicide Prevention; Victoria