title: A short tool to screen HIV-infected patients for mild neurocognitive disorders - a pilot study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We aimed to evaluate the accuracy and acceptability of a short screening test battery for mild neurocognitive deficits.
  
  
  METHODS
  HIV-infected individuals with a suppressed viral load were examined at the University Hospital Basel with a screening test consisting of a questionnaire and selected cognitive tests, administered by trained nurses, followed by an in-depth neuropsychological examination. Test acceptance was evaluated with a questionnaire.
  
  
  RESULTS
  30 patients were included in this study (median age of 52.5 years (interquartile range (IQR) 47-64), prior AIDS-defining condition in 37%, median CD4 cell count 658 (IQR 497-814) cells/μl). Overall, 25 (83%) patients were diagnosed with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) on in-depth neuropsychological assessment (16 patients had asymptomatic neurocognitive impairment (ANI), 8 a mild neurocognitive disorder (MND) and 1 patient HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Among 25 patients with HAND, only 9 patients (36%) were complaining of memory loss. The screening battery revealed neurocognitive deficits in 17 (57%) patients (sensitivity 64%, specificity 80%, positive predictive value 94% and negative predictive value 31%). Most patients (83%) estimated the screening test as valuable and not worrisome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A questionnaire combined with selected neuropsychological tests is a short, easy-to-perform very well accepted screening tool for mild neurocognitive disorders in asymptomatic HIV-infected individuals.
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031 Switzerland.
authors: Dominique
authors: D
authors: Fasel
authors: Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Ursula
authors: U
authors: Kunze
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031 Switzerland.
authors: Luigia
authors: L
authors: Elzi
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031 Switzerland.
authors: Vreni
authors: V
authors: Werder
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031 Switzerland.
authors: Susanne
authors: S
authors: Niepmann
authors: Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Andreas U
authors: AU
authors: Monsch
authors: Memory Clinic, Department of Geriatrics, University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland.
authors: Rahel
authors: R
authors: Schumacher
authors: Division of Infectious Diseases & Hospital Epidemiology, University Hospital Basel, Petersgraben 4, Basel, 4031 Switzerland.
authors: Manuel
authors: M
authors: Battegay