Neurocognitive symptoms and impairment in an HIV community clinic

BACKGROUND: Neurocognitive impairment is a frequent complication of HIV infection and heralds a poor survival prognosis. With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), survival times for HIV-infected patients have markedly increased although the effects of HAART on the prevalence of neurocognitive impairment remain uncertain. OBJECTIVE: To determine the relationship between self-reported neurocognitive symptoms and neuropsychological (NP) performance together with the impact of HAART among HIV-infected patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed in which patients without previously documented neurocognitive impairment attending an HIV community clinic were questioned about neurocognitive symptoms and a NP test battery was administered. RESULTS: Of the eighty-three patients examined, neurocognitive symptoms were reported by 34% of patients and were associated with a shorter duration of HAART and higher viral loads. Patients reporting neurocognitive symptoms were also more likely to exhibit impaired NP performance (p