Detecting HIV associated neurocognitive disorders in adolescents: what is the best screening tool?
OBJECTIVE
To examine the ability of the HIV-Dementia Scale (HDS) and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) to detect encephalopathy in adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).


METHODS
The study was based on chart review (N = 71) from 1999 to 2006, extracting data from psychological testing, disease classification, and demographic variables. HDS and MMSE scores were independent. Diagnosis of encephalopathy used American Academy of Neurology Criteria. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves were plotted.


RESULTS
Six patients had encephalopathy. The HDS identified five of these cases (83% sensitivity, 76% specificity). The MMSE identified three cases (50% sensitivity, 92% specificity).


CONCLUSIONS
Based on the study results, the HDS appears to be clinically useful.
Lyon
Maureen E
ME
Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's National Medical Center and Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC. Electronic address: mlyon@cnmc.org.
McCarter
Robert
R
Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's National Medical Center and Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC.
D'Angelo
Lawrence J
LJ
Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Children's National Medical Center and Children's Research Institute, Washington, DC.
D015526:AIDS Dementia Complex / Q000175:diagnosis*; D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000150:complications; D000293:Adolescent; D005260:Female; D006678:HIV; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008609:Mental Status Schedule; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012372:ROC Curve; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult