<scp>HIV</scp> infection and depression

<jats:p>Major depression is highly prevalent among <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>‐positive patients (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>pp). The prevalence of depression ranges between 18% and 81%, depending on the population studied and the methodology of the study. The etiology of depression in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>pp is likely determined by: (i) biological factors (alterations in the white matter structure, hypothalamic–pituitary–thyroid dysfunction, Tat‐protein‐induced depressive behavior); (ii) psychosocial factors (<jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content> stigma, occupational disability, body image changes, isolation and debilitation); (iii) history or comorbidity of psychiatric illness; and (iv) the perinatal period in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>pp women. Symptomatology of depression differs between <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>pp and <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>‐negative patients (HIVnp). Depression may also alter the function of lymphocytes in <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content>pp and decrease natural killer cell activity, contributing to the increased mortality in these patients. Selective serotonin re‐uptake inhibitors are considered the first‐line treatment. Treatment of depression can improve quality of life and lead to a better prognosis of <jats:styled-content style="fixed-case">HIV</jats:styled-content> infection.</jats:p>