A - 83 Associations between Subjective and Objective Cognition, Depression, and Quality of Life in Men Living with HIV.

Abstract

In people living with HIV, subjective cognitive dysfunction is widely reported; however, few studies have examined the relationship between subjective cognitive functioning and performance-based measures of cognitive functioning, mood, and quality of life (QoL). Men living with HIV (MLWH) (n = 51, mean age = 54years, 67% Black) completed measures of subjective cognitive functioning (Cognitive Failures Questionnaire; CFQ), objective cognitive performance (HVLT-R, TMT, UFOV, WRAT-3 Reading), health-related QoL (Medical Outcomes Short-Form; SF-36), mood (CES-D), and overall QoL (Control, Autonomy, Self-Realization, and Pleasure Quality of Life Scale; CASP-19). Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses were conducted to examine significant associations between variables. Alpha was set at 0.01 for all analyses. The CFQ was not significantly correlated with performance on objective cognitive tests. However, significant associations were found between the CFQ and self-reported depression severity (CES-D; r = 0.655, p < 0.001), quality of life (CASP-19; r = -0.642, p < 0.001), and multiple subscales of the SF-36 (all p's < 0.003). Of note, correlations between the CFQ with SF-36 scales and CASP-19 were no longer significant after controlling for depressive symptoms. Consistent with prior work, we found that subjective cognitive functioning may inadequately capture the full range of a person's cognitive functioning status. We extend these findings to a sample of MLWH and further clarify the possible influence that depressive symptoms have on subjective cognitive functioning and self-reported QoL measures. Future studies with larger samples and a more comprehensive neuropsychological battery will be helpful in understanding the full nature of these relationships.