Publication Abstract Display
Type: Published Abstract
Title: Functional and cognitive impact of HIV in Spanish-speakers: a pilot study.
Authors: Rivera Mindt M, Cherner M, Esquivel M, Bentley H, Heaton RK, Marcotte TD, Grant I, and the HNRC Group
Year: 2001
Publication: Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology
Volume: 16 Issue: Pages: 734
Abstract:We have shown with English-speakers that HIV-associated neuropsychological (NP) impairments are related to problems in everyday functioning. Latinos account for a disproportionate rate of AIDS cases nationwide (19%), and a significant segment of the population is primarily Spanish speaking. We developed Spanish-language translations of our NP and functional batteries to investigate the relationships between NP status and everyday functioning in HIV+ Spanish-speakers. Participants in the present pilot study included 10 HIV+ monolingual Spanish-speakers. Mean education was 10.9 years, mean age was 34 years, and 50% of the cohort had AIDS. All participants received NP and functional assessments, which included a comprehensive NP battery and functional battery (Domains: Cooking, Money Management, Medication Management, Restaurant Scenario, and Shopping). Similar to procedures used to characterize NP impairment, deficit scores (0=Normal to 5=Severe) were derived for each of the functional measures, based on the performance and percentile ranks of 175 NP normal English-speakers. A separate deficit score was assigned for each functional domain. These deficit scores were combined into a summary score, the Functional Deficit Score (FDS), by computing the average of each of the individual deficit scores. Results revealed that 60% of participants were NP impaired, and NP status was moderately associated with overall functional status (r=.56). Consistent with the English-speaking sample, NP-impaired Spanish-speakers were more functionally impaired than NP normals. Among the NP impaired group, 83% were functionally impaired as well. These results suggest that our Spanish language assessments are valid tools for detecting HIV-related NP and everyday functioning deficits.

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