Depression is inversely associated with sexual satisfaction and physical function in men living with HIV/AIDS

A DEPRESSÃO ASSOCIA-SE INVERSAMENTE COM SATISFAÇÃO O SEXUAL E FUNÇÃO FÍSICA EM HOMENS POSITIVOS PARA HIV/AIDS

OBJECTIVE:

To assess the associations between depression and physical fitness and function in men living with HIV/AIDS and the role of sexual satisfaction in these associations.

DESIGN:

Cross-sectional study conducted with 40 males living with HIV/AIDS (40.75 ± 8.68 years [25-66 yrs. old]) divided in two groups based on CD4⁺ nadir (low nadir < 200 cells/mm³; high nadir ≥ 200 cells/mm³).

METHODS:

Depression was determined by the Beck Depression Inventory. Participants were asked to evaluate their satisfaction with sexual life and their physical fitness was assessed by flexibility, muscle strength and peak oxygen uptake (VO_2peak). Physical function was measured by time taken to move from seated to standing position (TSSP), time to tie sneakers, and time to walk 3.33 m.

RESULTS:

Depression was inversely associated with sexual satisfaction (for low and high CD4⁺ nadir) and flexibility (for low CD4⁺ nadir), and positively associated with walking time (for low CD4⁺ nadir and total sample), and time to tie sneakers (for the total sample). Sexual satisfaction was positively associated with muscle strength (for low CD4⁺ nadir and total sample), but inversely with TSSP (for low CD4⁺ nadir and total sample), walking time (for low CD4⁺ nadir and total sample), and time to tie sneakers (for high CD4⁺ nadir and total sample).

CONCLUSION:

Findings suggest a negative association between depression and physical function regardless of retrospective clinical status of men living with HIV/AIDS and a potential role for sexual satisfaction in explaining this association.

KEYWORDS:
AIDS; Lymphocytes; Depression; Physical function; Physical fitness; Sexual behavior