Detecting HIV associated neurocognitive disorders in adolescents: what is the best screening tool?

PURPOSE: To examine the ability of the HIV-Dementia Scale (HDS) and Mini Mental State Exam (MMSE) to detect encephalopathy in adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and/or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS).

METHOD: The study was based on chart review (N = 71) from 1999 to 2006, extracting data from psychological testing, disease classification, and demographic variables. HDS and MMSE scores were independent. Diagnosis of encephalopathy used American Academy of Neurology Criteria. Receiver Operating Characteristic Curves were plotted.

RESULTS

Six patients had encephalopathy. The HDS identified five of these cases (83% sensitivity, 76% specificity). The MMSE identified three cases (50% sensitivity, 92% specificity).

CONCLUSION

Based on the study results, the HDS appears to be clinically useful.