The Prevalence And Outcomes Of Depression In Older HIV-Positive Adults In Northern Tanzania: A Longitudinal Study

Abstract Background: Studies of depression and its outcomes in older people living with HIV (PLWH) are currently lacking in sub-Saharan Africa Objectives: To investigate prevalence of psychiatric disorders in PLWH aged ≥50 years in Tanzania focussing on prevalence and two-year outcomes of depression.Method: PLWH aged ≥50 were systematically recruited from an outpatient clinic and assessed using the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric interview (MINI). Neurological and functional impairment were assessed at year two follow-up. Results: At baseline, 253 PLWH were recruited (72.3% female, median age 57, 95.5% on cART). DSM-IV depression was highly prevalent (20.9%), whereas other DSM-IV psychiatric disorders were uncommon. At follow-up (n=162) DSM-IV depression non-significantly decreased (14.2% -11.1%) x2 :2.48 p=0.29). Baseline depression, was associated with increased functional (p=0.018), and neurological impairment (p<0.001) and negative life events (p=0.001) at follow-up, but HIV and sociodemographic factors were not.Conclusions: In this setting, depression appears highly prevalent and associated with poorer outcomes. This may be a future intervention target.