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. 2020 Apr;26(2):252-256.
doi: 10.1007/s13365-019-00806-2. Epub 2019 Nov 12.

The Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index is not associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in Uganda

Violet Awori  1 , Gertrude Nakigozi  2 , Alice Kisakye  2 , James Batte  2 , Aggrey Anok  2 , Richard Mayanja  2 , Noeline Nakasujja  3 , Kevin R Robertson  4 , Ronald H Gray  5 , Maria J Wawer  5 , Ned Sacktor  6 , Deanna Saylor  7   8
Affiliations

The Veterans Aging Cohort Study Index is not associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders in Uganda

Violet Awori et al. J Neurovirol. 2020 Apr.

Abstract

The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index has been associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) in some populations but has not been studied in sub-Saharan Africa. We investigated whether the VACS Index is associated with HAND in a rural population in Rakai, Uganda. HIV-infected (HIV+) adults on antiretroviral therapy underwent a neurocognitive battery for determination of HAND stage using Frascati criteria. VACS component scores were recorded for all participants. Out of 156 study participants, HAND stages were 49% normal cognition, 15% asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment, 31% minor neurocognitive disorder, and 7% HIV-associated dementia. There was no significant association between VACS Index and any HAND stage. In this first study of the VACS Index in sub-Saharan Africa, we found no association between VACS Index score and HAND.

Keywords: Global health; HIV; HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder; Uganda; Veterans aging cohort study index.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflicts of Interest

Dr. Violet Awori reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Gertrude Nakigozi reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Alice Kisakye reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. James Bette reports no conflicts of interest.

Mr. Aggrey Anok reports no conflicts of interest.

Mr. Richard Mayanja reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Noeline Nakasujja reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Kevin R. Robertson reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Ronald H. Gray reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Maria J. Wawer reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Ned Sacktor reports no conflicts of interest.

Dr. Deanna Saylor reports no conflicts of interest.

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