ObjectivesDepression and psychiatric disorders are frequent among HIV-infected individuals. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of depression and describe the psychiatric history of HIV-infected individuals in an out-patient clinic in Denmark and to identify factors of clinical importance that may be used to identify patients at risk of depression. MethodsIn 2013, 212 HIV-infected patients were included in a questionnaire study. We used the Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II) to assess the prevalence and severity of depressive symptoms. Patients with a BDI-II score ≥ 20 were offered a clinical evaluation by a consultant psychiatrist. Logistic regression was used to determine predictors associated with risk of depression. ResultsSymptoms of depression (BDI-II score ≥ 14) were observed in 75 patients (35%), and symptoms of moderate to major depression (BDI-II score ≥ 20) in 55 patients (26%). There was also a high prevalence of co-occurring mental illness. In a multivariate model, self-reported stress, self-reported perception that HIV infection affects all aspects of life, self-reported poor health, not being satisfied with one's current life situation, previous alcohol abuse, nonadherence to antiretroviral therapy and previously having sought help because of psychological problems were independently associated with risk of depression. ConclusionsSymptoms of depression and co-occurring mental illness are under-diagnosed and under-treated among HIV-infected individuals. We recommend that screening of depression should be conducted regularly to provide a full psychiatric profile to decrease the risk of depression and improve adherence and quality of life in this population. [21] found that the risk of depression in individuals with a psychiatric history prior to their HIV infection, particularly a history of depression, was higher compared with patients with no previous psychiatric history. They concluded that it is possible that a history of psychiatric disease can predict future vulnerability [21]. The elevated depression rates observed after the onset of the HIV infection may therefore reflect new episodes of pre-existing disorders rather than new-onset depression. The importance of these findings was emphasized by a Danish study where 54.5% of the Danish HIV-infected cohort compared with 29.2% of the control group had used at least one prescription for a psychotropic drug during the study period; the consumption of psychotropic drugs increased after being diagnosed with HIV infection [22].The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of depression and psychiatric history among HIV-infected individuals in an out-patient clinic at Odense University Hospital in Denmark and to determine which factors were relevant in clinical practice to identify those at risk of depression. Methods Study populationFrom March 2013 to June 2013, all HIV-infected patients (n = 472) attending the Department of Infectious Diseases at Odense University Hospital, Odense, Denmark were recruited to the study....

The iterative co-creation process based upon a high degree of patient involvement resulted in a set of PROMs, a national measurement concept, and patient recommendations for implementation. The cooperation between patients and professionals was successful.

In a sample of middle-aged hospitalized unipolar depressed patients participating in trials on antidepressants, the risk of conversion was associated with the number of previous depressive episodes. Therefore, this study emphasizes that unipolar depressed patients experiencing a relatively high number of recurrences should be followed more closely, or at least be informed about the possible increased risk of conversion.