This subproject is one of many research subprojects utilizing the resources provided by a Center grant funded by NIH/NCRR. The subproject and investigator (PI) may have received primary funding from another NIH source, and thus could be represented in other CRISP entries. The institution listed is for the Center, which is not necessarily the institution for the investigator. Recently research focus has turned to the effects of depression on the immune system of patients with chronic diseases, HIV being one of the fastest growing chronic diseases among Hispanic women. The purpose of this study is to determine the relation between the magnitude of depression in Hispanic HIV+ women in HAART and the viral immune profile (VL/CD4). The short term goal of this pilot project is to determine the relation between the magnitude of depression in Hispanic HIV+ women while using HAART, and the viral immune profile (VL/CD4). The postulated hypothesis is that depression status correlates with and influence viral immune profile; the more severe is the extent of depression, more immune compromised will be the HIV+ women in HAART (CD4 1,000). The significance of this study is justified due to the increment of HIV infected women in Puerto Rico, the lack of studies with this population and the need of knowledge regarding the emotional status of these women; to create the necessity to develop a project to start learning about these relevant subjects. The recruited subjects will be 20 women with HIV. They will be selected according to availability from the longitudinal cohort of women at risk of HIV dementia detected by Dr. Wojna at the Medical Science Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. The inclusion criteria for participants in this study are: (1) Hispanic women with HIV; (2) using HAART at the moment to be recruited; (3) older than 18 years old; (4) residents of Puerto Rico; HIV infected as documented by ELISA and confirmed by Western Blood; (5) persons who have the CD4 cell count 1,000 copies. The exclusion criteria are: (1) participant who had being identified with traumatic brain injury, tested by Dr. Wojna; (2) significant neurological brain disorder; (3) subjects with history of squizophrenia or severe psychotic disorder, (4) pregnant women (because hormonal changes); (5) subjects who have a Major Depressive Disorder and are currently in antidepressant treatment; and (6) no drugs users. Three evaluations in six months will be performed; participants will be evaluated at the beguining, in the middle and at the end (every two months). This evaluation consist of clinical interview for depression and Beck Depression Inventory II. The immunological profile data will be taken from the patient s record which is in the NeuroAids project, for that purpose we are taking a consent form. Descriptive Statistic analysis will be held to determine relationship of the variables. The results of this is a pilot research will help to desig a longitudinal research proyect regarding depression, CD4 and the viral load in hispanic women.
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