Depressive Symptoms Decline Among Persons on HIV Protease Inhibitors [Low-Beer S, et al. JAIDS 2000;23:295]: This is a report from Vancouver concerning participants in the AIDS Drug Treatment Program who underwent an annual survey before and after initiation of HAART using the Centre for Epidemiologic Studies-depression scale (CES-D). The results showed a significant improvement in total scale score (p = 0.001), depressive mood (p = 0.002), positive affect (p = 0.005), and somatic symptoms (p = 0.01). The authors conclude that triple-therapy which includes use of protease inhibitors is associated with substantial improvement in mental health.
Comment: This is an interesting report, particularly in view of the fact that mental health has not been considered a significant variable for analysis in any studies of HAART, and it has has not been considered in the indications for therapy during the recent debate about when to initiate antiretroviral treatment. The median CD4 cell count at baseline was 190/mm³, and was 280/mm³ at one year, the end of the study. Interestingly, the authors conclude that HAART was effective in improving depression even though the prevalence of depression at the study's completion was still unacceptably high. posted 7/6/2000