An exploratory study of the relationships among depressive symptomatology, cellular immune function, and health status in HIV-infected men

Problem statement. The purpose of this descriptive correlational study was to explore the relationships among the following variables in HIV-infected men (n = 27): depressive symptomatology, cellular immune function, and health status.; Methods. Data were collected from outpatients participating in Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Groups (AACTG) or pharmaceutical drug trials in a Chicago-area clinic between 1993 and 1996. Depressive symptomatology was measured using the Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale (CES-D). Cellular immune function was determined via lymphoproliferative assays (LPA). Health status was defined according to number of physical symptoms and overall physical condition reported by the participants. Data related to the following additional variables were also collected: age, nutritional status, sleep quality, physical activity, medications, and substance use. T-test, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analyses were applied to these data.; Results. In this sample, depressive symptomatology was not associated with cellular immune function. Increased cellular immune function was associated with health status (increased number of symptoms). Also, participants who rated themselves in excellent physical condition had significantly lower mean LPA responses than participants who rated themselves in fair or good condition. Depressive symptomatology was associated with health status, as defined by number of physical symptoms reported; however, there was no difference in depressive symptomatology in relation to self-rated overall physical condition. Of note, depressive symptomatology was associated with health status as defined by number of physical symptoms, taking into account additional variables.; Conclusion. Although depressive symptoms were not associated with cellular immune function in this sample, this negative finding adds to the body of work which describes variations in HIV disease trajectory that are potentially associated with psychological factors. In addition, this study constitutes an important contribution to the literature which supports the notion that depression may be associated with numbers of physical symptoms reported by patients with HIV infection. Furthermore, this investigation points to a compelling need to recognize depression in HIV-infected patients. Given the potential overlap between depressive and HIV-related symptoms, it is important to distinguish between such symptoms so as to allow, for appropriate treatment.