| Publication Abstract Display | | Type: Poster | | Title: Relationship between HIV-associated functional impairment and neuropsychological abilities in Spanish-speakers of Mexican origin. | | Authors: Suarez P, Gupta S, Georges S, Hendrix T, Heaton R, Cherner M, and the HNRP Group | | Date: 02-15-2012 | | Abstract:INTRO: Diagnosis of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders, and dementia in general, requires knowledge of everyday functioning (EDF). Little research exists on the contribution of specific neuropsychological deficits to declines in EDF among Spanish speakers with HIV.
METHOD: We examined the relationship between neuropsychological (NP) impairment and everyday functioning in 98 HIV+ Spanish-speakers [age: m=40.8 (10.3); education: m=11.5 (3.9)]. Each received a comprehensive neuropsychological test battery covering 7 ability domains. Using norms from Spanish speakers from the U.S.-Mexico border region, we computed demographically-corrected NP domain deficit scores and cutpoints to designate impaired performances. EDF was assessed with a performance-based 8-task battery simulating instrumental activities of daily living. A functional deficit score (FDS) was developed by averaging the 8 tasks, with an impairment cutpoint based on the performance of 102 HIV- [age: m =39.8 (13.6); education: m =11.7 (4.2)]. We evaluated the relationship between functional impairment and neuropsychological domain impairment using Chi-square tests.
RESULTS: In this HIV+ sample , those impaired on the functional battery (n=18, 18%) were more likely to be impaired than the functionally intact in Learning (53% vs. 25%) and Processing Speed (53% vs. 21%) (both ps<.05), with near-significant differences for Verbal Fluency (53% vs. 30%) , Memory (53% vs. 30%) , and Executive Functioning (44% vs. 22%) (.06<ps<.07).
CONCLUSION: Preliminary findings suggest that HIV-associated functional decline among Spanish-speakers is linked to impaired Learning, Processing Speed, Verbal Fluency, Memory, and Executive Functioning. Future research will examine the relationship between domain-specific neuropsychological impairment and real-life measures of everyday functioning (e.g., employment status, driving) in Spanish-speakers. |
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