Assessment of neurocognitive functions in HIV/AIDS patients on HAART using the international HIV dementia scale

Abstract

Background: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals on National AIDS Control Organization's (NACO)-India-Based-highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) regimen often continue experiencing neurological complications, referred to as HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). Objectives: The prime objective is to assess the status of neurocognitive functions among HIV-infected individuals on HAART, using the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS). Materials and Methods: This prospective cohort study was carried out between October 2011 and September 2012, on 80 HIV-positive individuals, randomly selected from the ART Centre of PBM and AG Hospital, Bikaner, India. The patients were clinically examined and tested using IHDS. Results: All the subjects on HAART were found to have HAND-prevalence at 32.50%. Asymptomatic Neurocognitive Impairment (ANI) and HIV-associated Mild Neurocognitive Disorder (MND) were observed in 30 and 2.5% of the patients, respectively, and HIV-associated Dementia (HAD) was absent. Conclusion: In our study the IHDS Score was abnormal, that is, ≤10, in 32.50% of the patients, which shows probable neurocognitive impairment in the study subjects. This suggests the need to routinely screen HIV-positive patients, to recognize the neurocognitive deficits at an early stage and the IHDS may have great value as a screening test for HAND.