HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder Screening in Grampian (v. 1)
Research type
Research Study
Full title
A cross-sectional study to find the prevalence of HIV-associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND) in Grampian, Scotland.
IRAS ID
145323
Contact name
Robert Laing
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Aberdeen
Research summary
HIV’s effect on the central nervous system has long been known to include the development of subcortical dementia. The resulting reduction in intellectual and motor function forms a clinical spectrum called HIV-associated Nerocognitive Disorder (HAND) with HIV-associated Dementia (HAD) at its most severe end. At the Aberdeen Royal Infirmary’s Infection Unit, newly diagnosed HIV positive patients are assessed using the Integrated Care Pathway which includes assessment of neurocognitive function with the HIV Dementia Scale. This cross-sectional study aims to extend neurocognitive function screening to previously diagnosed patients over the age of 50 attending the HIV clinic, so as to find the prevalence of HAND in Grampian, and to calculate the relative contribution to risk of developing HAND of patient gender, viral load, CD4 count, and previous diagnosis of central nervous system opportunistic infection.
Participants are assessed in a three-stage interview. The first questionnaire identifies the exclusion criteria - psychotropic drug use, alcohol abuse and recent hospitalisation. The second is a subjective evaluation of their perceived neurocognitive function. The third is the International HIV Dementia Scale, which is an objective, performance-based evaluation of their neurocognitive function. Interviews should last no longer than 15 minutes. Patient notes are then analysed to collect data on viral load, CD4 count and previous diagnoses of CNS infection.
REC name
North of Scotland Research Ethics Committee 1
REC reference
14/NS/0014
Date of REC Opinion
11 Feb 2014
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion