Date Published:
2016 Sep 01

Publication Type:
Journal Article

Authors:

M.J. Marquine
J.L. Montoya
A. Umlauf
P.L. Fazeli
B. Gouaux
R.K. Heaton
R.J. Ellis
S.L. Letendre
I. Grant
D.J. Moore

Secondary:
Clin Infect Dis

Volume:
63

Pagination:
694-702

Issue:
5

PMID:
27199461

URL:
https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27199461

DOI:
10.1093/cid/ciw328

Keywords:
Adult;Aging;AIDS Dementia Complex;Female;Humans;Internal;Longitudinal Studies;Male;Middle Aged;Veterans

Abstract:
<p>BACKGROUND: The Veterans Aging Cohort Study (VACS) Index, a composite marker of disease severity among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected persons, has been associated with concurrent risk for neurocognitive impairment (NCI). The present study examined whether the VACS Index predicts longitudinal neurocognitive change.METHODS: Participants included 655 HIV-infected persons followed for up to 6 years in cohort studies at the University of California, San Diego, HIV Neurobehavioral Research Program (mean age at baseline, 42.5 years; 83% male; 60% white; AIDS in 67%; median current CD4(+) T-cell count, 346/μL; 61% receiving antiretroviral therapy). The VACS Index was calculated through standard methods. Participants completed a comprehensive neurocognitive battery. Neurocognitive status was plotted over time using demographically and practice-adjusted global and domain T scores. NCI was defined by global deficit scores derived from T scores.RESULTS: Baseline VACS Index scores were not predictive of changes in global T scores during the follow-up period (P = .14). However, in time-dependent analyses adjusting for covariates, higher VACS Index scores were significantly associated with worse global and domain neurocognitive performance (Ps < .01), as well as increased risk for developing NCI in a subgroup of persons who were neurocognitively normal at baseline (hazard ratio [HR], 1.17; P < .001). We categorized VACS Index scores by quartiles and found that the upper-quartile group was significantly more likely to develop NCI than the lower quartile (HR, 2.16; P < .01) and middle groups (HR, 1.76; P < .01).CONCLUSIONS: Changes in VACS Index scores correspond to changes in neurocognitive function. HIV-infected persons with high VACS Index scores are at increased risk for decline and incident NCI. The VACS Index shows promise as a tool for identifying HIV-infected persons at risk for NCI.</p>