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Multicenter Study
. 2016 Jan 26;86(4):334-40.
doi: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000002277. Epub 2015 Dec 30.

Prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study

Ned Sacktor  1 , Richard L Skolasky  2 , Eric Seaberg  2 , Cynthia Munro  2 , James T Becker  2 , Eileen Martin  2 , Ann Ragin  2 , Andrew Levine  2 , Eric Miller  2
Affiliations
Multicenter Study

Prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study

Ned Sacktor et al. Neurology. .

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the frequency of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in HIV+ individuals and determine whether the frequency of HAND changed over 4 years of follow-up.

Methods: The Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study (MACS) is a prospective study of gay/bisexual men. Beginning in 2007, all MACS participants received a full neuropsychological test battery and functional assessments every 2 years to allow for HAND classification.

Results: The frequency of HAND for the 364 HIV+ individuals seen in 2007-2008 was 33% and for the 197 HIV+ individuals seen at all time periods during the 2007-2008, 2009-2010, and 2011-2012 periods were 25%, 25%, and 31%, respectively. The overall frequency of HAND increased from 2009-2010 to 2011-2012 (p = 0.048). Over the 4-year study, 77% of the 197 HIV+ individuals remained at their same stage, with 13% showing deterioration and 10% showing improvement in HAND stage. Hypercholesterolemia was associated with HAND progression. A diagnosis of asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment was associated with a 2-fold increased risk of symptomatic HAND compared to a diagnosis of normal cognition.

Conclusion: HAND remains common in HIV+ individuals. However, for the majority of HIV+ individuals on combination antiretroviral therapy with systemic virologic suppression, the diagnosis of HAND is not a progressive condition over 4 years of follow-up. Future studies should evaluate longitudinal changes in HAND and specific neurocognitive domains over a longer time period.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) algorithm used in the Multicenter AIDS Cohort Study
Figure 2
Figure 2. Frequency of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders stages during each 2-year period
ANI = asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment; HAD = HIV dementia; MND = mild neurocognitive disorder.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Comment in

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