The International HIV Dementia Scale: A new rapid screening test for HIV dementia

Ned C. Sacktor, Matthew Wong, Noeline Nakasujja, Richard L. Skolasky, Ola A. Selnes, Seggane Musisi, Kevin Robertson, Justin C. McArthur, Allan Ronald, Elly Katabira

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

286 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: HIV dementia is an important neurological complication of advanced HIV infection. The use of a cross-cultural screening test to detect HIV dementia within the international community is critical for diagnosing this condition. The objective of this study was to evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a new screening test for HIV dementia, the International HIV Dementia Scale (IHDS) in cohorts from the US and Uganda. Design: Two cross-sectional cohort studies designed to evaluate for the presence of HIV dementia. Methods: Sixty-six HIV-positive individuals in the US and 81 HIV-positive individuals in Uganda received the IHDS and full standardized neurological and neuropsychological assessments. The sensitivity and specificity of varying cut-off scores of the IHDS were evaluated in the two cohorts. Results: In the US cohort, the mean IHDS score for HIV-positive individuals without dementia and with dementia were 10.6 and 9.3 respectively (P < 0.001). Using the cutoff of ≤ 10, the sensitivity and specificity for HIV dementia with the IHDS were 80% and 57% respectively in the US cohort, and 80% and 55% respectively in the Uganda cohort. Conclusions: The IHDS may be a useful screening test to identify individuals at risk for HIV dementia in both the industrialized world and the developing world. Full neuropsychological testing should then be performed to confirm a diagnosis of HIV dementia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1367-1374
Number of pages8
JournalAIDS
Volume19
Issue number13
StatePublished - Sep 2 2005

Keywords

  • Dementia
  • HIV
  • International
  • Scale
  • Screening test
  • Uganda

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Immunology and Allergy
  • Immunology
  • Infectious Diseases

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The International HIV Dementia Scale: A new rapid screening test for HIV dementia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this