Anemia and depression in persons with Human Immunodeficiency Virus infection

Background:

Anemia and depression are commonly observed among people infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV). Anemia can increase the risk of depression in people without HIV. Nevertheless, the association between anemia and depression among HIV- positive people has not been investigated yet. We assessed the cross-sectional association between anemia and depression in HIV-positive people.

Methods:

A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 317 HIV-positive people (182 men and 135 women) aged 20-60 years residing in Kathmandu, Nepal. Anthropometric examinations were performed and information on medical history, life-style, alcohol, smoking, and anti-retroviral therapy were collected. Fasting blood samples were taken for haemoglobin, lipids, glucose, and micronutrient markers evaluations. The haemoglobin level below 12.0 g/dl in men and below 11.0 g/dl in women was defined as anemia. The Beck Depression Inventory-Ia method was used to measure depression, with a score of 20 or more indicating depression. Relationships were assessed using multiple logistic regression analysis with adjustment for life-style and HIV-related clinical confounding factors.

Results:

In  total, 33% of participants (men:31%; women:36%) were anemic and 26% (men:23%;women:28%) met the criteria for depression. The participants with anemia had a 2.2 fold higher odds of depression compared to those without anemia (p=0.005). Men and women with anemia had 2.1 and 2.4-fold higher odds of depression, respectively. The relationships remained tend to significant in men (p=0.06) and significant in women (p=0.03).

Conclusion:

A risk of depression may be high among HIV-positive men and women with anemia. Further prospective study to confirm the role of anemia against depression among HIV-positive people is warranted.