HAM/TSP and major depression: the role of age

Braz J Infect Dis. 2015 May-Jun;19(3):314-8. doi: 10.1016/j.bjid.2014.12.003. Epub 2015 Jan 27.

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the role of demographic variables in the relationship between the presence of HAM/TSP and current major depression.

Methods: It is a cross-sectional study of 108 HTLV-1 infected patients (47 with TSP/HAM) resident of Salvador, Brazil. The Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview, Brazilian Version 5 was used to evaluate the presence of depression. Prevalence ratios were used to describe relationship between HAM/TSP and depression. The HAM/TSP classification was carried out according to the criteria proposed by Castro-Costa et al.

Results: Prevalence of depression was 37.96%. No association was observed between presence of HAM/TSP and diagnosis of current major depression in the global analysis of patients (PR: 0.94; CI 95%: 0.57-1.55). In the stratified analysis, however, greater prevalence of depression was observed amongst individuals with HAM/TSP in the 18-39 age group (PR: 2.59; CI 95%: 1.36-4.95).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that age is an effect modifier in the relationship between HAM/TSP and depression, and this aspect should be considered in future studies on the topic.

Keywords: Age factors; Depression; HTLV-1 associated myelopathies; Human T-lymphotropic virus 1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / epidemiology
  • Depressive Disorder, Major / psychology*
  • Female
  • Human T-lymphotropic virus 1*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / epidemiology
  • Paraparesis, Tropical Spastic / psychology*
  • Prevalence
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Viral Load
  • Young Adult