The number of Brazilian women living with HIV has increased significantly in past years, rendering studies of their particular care demands including psychiatric issues. This study measures the prevalence of major depression, using the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM-IV Axis I Disorders, in a sample of 120 women living with HIV in treatment at a reference centre in São Paulo. Socio-demographic variables, HIV-related clinical and laboratory data, including CD4+ cell counts and HIV plasma viral loads, as well as psychosocial features (intimate relationships, disclosure of HIV serostatus, partner's serostatus and patient's emotional and financial support) were investigated as factors potentially associated with depression. The prevalence of major depression at the time of evaluation was 25.8% (95% CI 18.2-33.4%). Clinical status (p = 0.002), lack of emotional support (p = 0.02), use of antidepressants (p = 0.028) and length of time since HIV diagnosis (p = 0.05) were associated with major depression in univariate analysis. In multivariate multiple-regression model, HIV clinical status, lack of emotional support and higher plasma viral loads were associated with depression. Sixty per cent of the women have a major depression diagnosis during lifetime. We conclude that major depression is highly prevalent among women living with HIV, but it is still underdiagnosed and undertreated.

Depression in women infected with HIV Depressão em mulheres infectadas pelo HIVA b s t r a c t Objective: The number of women with HIV infection has been on the rise in recent years, making studies of the psychiatric aspects of this condition very important. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of major depression in women with HIV infection. Method: A total of 120 women were studied, 60 symptomatic (with AIDS symptoms) and 60 asymptomatic (without AIDS symptoms). Sociodemographic data were collected, and depressive disorders were identified. The instruments used to evaluate the depressive disorders were the SCID, DSM-IV, 17-item Hamilton depression scale, Hamilton depression scale for nonsomatic symptoms and the Beck depression scale. Results: The prevalence of major depression was 25.8% and was higher in the symptomatic group than in the asymptomatic group (p = 0.002). Conclusions: The prevalence of major depressive episodes in women with HIV infection is high, and women with AIDS-related symptoms are more often depressed than are those who have never presented such symptoms.Keywords: AIDS serodiagnosis; Adjustment disorders; Female; Classification; Statistics and numerical data Resumo Objetivo: Devido ao aumento do número de mulheres infectadas pelo HIV, no Brasil e no mundo, torna-se necessária a realização de estudos que abordem os aspectos psiquiátricos dessa população. Esse estudo tem como objetivo avaliar a prevalência de depressão maior atual e outros transtornos depressivos em mulheres infectadas pelo HIV e comparar essa prevalência entre um grupo de pacientes sintomáticas e outro de assintomáticas. Método: Utilizou-se um desenho de estudo transversal que avaliou 120 mulheres portadoras do HIV divididas em dois grupos de 60 pacientes, de acordo com a presença, em algum momento da vida, de sintomas relacionados à AIDS (sintomáticas e assintomáticas). Foram avaliadas variáveis sociodemográficas e variáveis relacionadas aos transtornos depressivos. Foram utilizados na avaliação psiquiátrica dos transtornos depressivos o SCID-DSM-IV, escala de Hamilton-17, escala de Hamilton não somática e o inventário de Beck. Resultados: Os resultados mostram uma prevalência de 25,8% de depressão maior atual, sendo maior nas pacientes sintomáticas em relação às assintomáticas (p = 0,002). Conclusões: Os resultados mostram uma alta prevalência de depressão nas mulheres infectadas pelo HIV.