An Analysis on Danish Micro Data - School of Economics and ...

Galarraga et al. (2006) have chosen to study the effect of antidepressant use in a population where
depression is not uncommon and often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Their sample population
consists of HIV-positive women using highly-active antiretroviral therapy (HAART). The
evaluation is based on 1838 women participating in the WIHS. 36 To be qualified for the study the
women have to be between 18 and 65, HIV-positive and using highly-active antiretroviral therapy
(HAART), which changes the development of the HIV infection radically. The study started in
1994, and the data used for Galarraga et al.’s evaluation were collected from 1996 until 2004. The
data are based on a physical examination and on an interview every six months completed at the
clinic visits.
3.1.1 The conceptual structure
Figure 2 gives an overview of the structure providing the background for their analysis.
HIV
diagnosis
Socioeconomic/
insurance
context
Asymptomatic Period
Treatment:
HAART +
antidepressants
Effect on Employment
Changes
in
Current
Health
Depressio
n
Symptoms
Figure 2 Structure of Galarraga et.al (2006). Source: Own making based on Galarraga et.al (2006).
As seen from figure 2, some time might elapse from the diagnosis with HIV, during which the
patient has no symptoms, until changes in health occur. These changes are measured during the
physical examination at the clinic visits. Once the individual is affected by the disease, this affects
the need for treatment with HAART and the probability of employment. The changes in current
health are also likely to result in symptoms of depression, which further reduce the probability of
36
WIHS is a cohort study that gathers information about HIV infection in women, carried out at six different sites
located in urban areas in the United States.
20