Validity of the International HIV dementia scale in Brazil

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria 2013-06, Vol.71 (6), p.376-379
• Main Authors: Rodrigues, Roiza Almeida, Oliveira, Raquel Lisboa, Grinsztejn, Beatriz, Silva, Marcus Tulius T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome; Adult; Age Factors; Aged; AIDS Dementia Complex - diagnosis; Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; Brazil; Cognition Disorders - diagnosis; demencia; dementia; Female; HIV; Human immunodeficiency virus; Humans; Male; Mass Screening - instrumentation; Middle Aged; Neuropsychological Tests - standards; NEUROSCIENCES; PSYCHIATRY; Reproducibility of Results; ROC Curve; Sindrome de Imunodeficiencia Adquirida; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20130042

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) remain prevalent in highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era. Tests to detect HAND are needed for early diagnosis and treatment. Validity of International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) has been determined in different countries. The aims of this study were validate IHDS in a Brazilian cohort of HIV-patients and verify if IHDS can be reliably administered by a non-clinician health professional. One hundred and eighty-seven (187) patients were submitted to a full neuropsychological assessment. IHDS was administered twice to each patient (by a non-clinician and by a neurologist). HAND was diagnosed in 98 individuals (68 on HAART). IHDS had sensitivity of 55% and specificity of 80%. IHDS had fair agreement with neuropsychological tests (k 0.355) and moderate-to-strong agreement between different evaluators (interclass correlation coefficient (ICC) 0.684). HAND is prevalent nowadays. IHDS is quick and easy to administer, but has marginal sensitivity for the detection of HIV cognitive impairment other than dementia.