Risk factors for depressive symptoms by age group among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in Korea

We identified factors associated with depressive symptoms according to age group. We used data from a city-wide, cross-sectional survey conducted by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in 2014. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed to explore factors related to depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were assessed using a single item from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Of the 370 subjects, 37.3% had depressive symptoms during the past 12 months. Compared to an age of ≥50 years, being 20–39 (adjusted odds ratio, 2.45; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–4.75) or 40–49 years (2.58; 1.32–5.06) of age was positively associated with depressive symptoms. In addition, a history of acquired immune deficiency syndrome-defining opportunistic disease (3.29; 1.09–9.92) and perceived discrimination (1.93; 1.16–3.20) in subjects aged 20–39 years, and poor subjective health (4.97; 1.42–17.32) in subjects aged 40–49 years, were associated with depressive symptoms, but no factor exhibited a significant association in subjects aged ≥ 50 years. In conclusion, a screening program that considers the factors identified in this study to prioritize patients with depression should be implemented.