Neurological disease in HIV-infected patients in the era of highly active antiretroviral treatment: a Brazilian experience.
To study characteristics of neurological disorders in HIV/AIDS patients and their relationship to highly active antiretroviral treatment, a cross-sectional study was conducted in an infectious disease public hospital in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, between February 1999 and March 2000. Of the 417 patients enrolled, neurological disease was observed in 194 (46.5%) and a new AIDS-defining neurological event developed in 23.7% of individuals. Toxoplasmosis (42.3%), cryptococcosis meningitis (12.9%) and tuberculosis (10.8%) were the most common causes of neurological complications. The majority (79.3%) of patients were on highly active antiretroviral treatment and these individuals using HAART showed higher CD4 cell counts (p = 0.014) and presented stable neurological disease (p = 0.0001), although no difference was found with respect to the profile of neurological complications. The neurological diseases continue to be a frequent complication of HIV/AIDS and infections are still its main causes in Brazil, even in the highly active antiretroviral treatment era.
Oliveira
Jacqueline Ferreira de
JF
Minas Gerais Hospital State Foundation, Hospital Eduardo de Menezes, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil. jgfo@terra.com.br
Greco
Dirceu Bartolomeu
DB
Oliveira
Guilherme Correa
GC
Christo
Paulo Pereira
PP
Guimarães
Mark Drew Crosland
MD
Oliveira
Rodrigo Corrêa
RC
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D023241:Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002494:Central Nervous System Infections / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged