title: Intellectual Impairment in Patients with Newly Diagnosed HIV Infection in Southwestern Nigeria.
abstract: Neurocognitive impairment is a detrimental complication of HIV infection. Here, we characterized the intellectual performance of patients with newly diagnosed HIV infection in southwestern Nigeria. We conducted a prospective study at Owo Federal Medical Center by using the adapted Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS). The raw scores were converted to standardized scores (z-scores) and correlated with clinical and laboratory findings. Fifty-eight HIV positive patients were recruited; 72% were in WHO stages 3 and 4. We detected a high rate of intellectual impairment in HIV positive patients and controls (63.8% and 10%, resp.; P < 0.001). HIV positive patients performed worse throughout the subtests of both verbal and performance intelligence quotients. Presence of opportunistic infections was associated with worse performance in the similarities and digit symbol tests and performance and full scale scores. Lower body weight correlated with poor performance in different WAIS subtests. The high rate of advanced disease stage warrants measures aimed at earlier diagnosis and treatment. Assessment of neurocognitive performance at diagnosis may offer the opportunity to improve functioning in daily life and counteract disease progression.
authors: Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, Federal Medical Center, Owo 341, Ondo State, Nigeria.
authors: Taofiki A
authors: TA
authors: Sunmonu
authors: Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler-Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, 5026 Salzburg, Austria ; Department of Neurology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, 81675 München, Germany.
authors: Johann
authors: J
authors: Sellner
authors: Neurology Unit, Department Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin 300, Nigeria.
authors: Olubunmi A
authors: OA
authors: Ogunrin
authors: Neurology Unit, Department Medicine, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin 300, Nigeria.
authors: Frank A
authors: FA
authors: Imarhiagbe
authors: Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife 220, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors: Morenikeji A
authors: MA
authors: Komolafe
authors: Department of Community Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors: Olusegun T
authors: OT
authors: Afolabi
authors: Department of Community Health, Federal Medical Centre, Owo 341, Ondo State, Nigeria.
authors: Olayinka S
authors: OS
authors: Ilesanmi
authors: Department of Dermatology, Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife 220, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors: Fatai
authors: F
authors: Olanrewaju
authors: Clinical Psychology Unit, Department of Mental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife 220, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors: Benedicta Y
authors: BY
authors: Oladimeji
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D006801:Humans; D007361:Intelligence Tests; D008297:Male; D019965:Neurocognitive Disorders / Q000150:complications / Q000473:pathology* / Q000821:virology; D009549:Nigeria; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D014888:Wechsler Scales