Predictors of Antidepressant Vs ARV Adherence in US Military Group

Different variables predicted adherence to antiretrovirals versus antidepressants in a study of 225 depressed HIV-positive people at three US Veterans Affairs HIV clinics. Antidepressant adherence predicted antiretroviral adherence, but the opposite was not true.

The study involved 225 HIV-positive people with depression enrolled in a single-blinded, longitudinal, randomized effectiveness trial comparing collaborative care to usual depression care at Veterans Affairs HIV clinics. Of these 225 people, 192 (85%) were taking antiretrovirals, 146 (65%) antidepressants, and 113 (50%) both.

Self-reported adherence was defined as less than 90% adherence or 90% or better adherence over the past 4 days. Among people taking antiretrovirals, 146 (75.5%) reported 90%+ adherence, as did 112 (76.7%) of those taking antidepressants. Among people taking both antiretrovirals and antidepressants, 76 (67%) reported 90%+ adherence.

Higher education, older age, and more severe HIV symptoms correlated with antiretroviral adherence, while gender and generalized anxiety disorder correlated with antidepressant adherence.

Good antidepressant adherence predicted antiretroviral adherence (β = 2.30, P < 0.05), but good antiretroviral adherence did not predict antidepressant adherence (β = 1.62, P = 0.17).

Source: Kathryn A. Bottonari, Shanti P. Tripathi, John C. Fortney, Geoff Curran, David Rimland, Maria Rodriguez-Barradas, Allen L. Gifford, Jeffrey M. Pyne. Correlates of antiretroviral and antidepressant adherence among depressed HIV-infected patients. AIDS Patient Care and STDs. 2012; 26: 265-273.

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Written by Mark Mascolini on behalf of the International AIDS Society