DOI: 10.36347/sajb.2016.v04i04.003

Pages: 320-323

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) invades the central nervous system during the primary infection period and often leads to neurological complications that have recently been characterized as HIV- associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). To better assist in prevention, treatment and management of HAND, it is important to develop and evaluate the neurocognitive screening tools. The main Objective of study was designed to determine the comparative performance of international HIV dementia scale (IHDS) and Hindi mental state examination (HMSE) scale in assessing neurocognitive dysfunction among HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy. In methods, a consecutive sample of ‘80’ HIV positive patients registered at ART Centre of PBM and AG Hospital, Bikaner were clinically interviewed and administered the IHDS and HMSE scale to assess any neurocognitive dysfunction. The Results were Individuals with HAND showed significantly poor performance in comparison to individuals without HAND. The mean IHDS scores were low in HIV-positive HAND group as compared to HIV-positive individuals without HAND (p<0.05) while there was no significant difference in mean HMSE score between HIV positive HAND group and individuals without HAND (p>0.05). HAND detection rate was found to be significantly high using the IHDS (26/80 i.e. 32.50%) as compared to HMSE scale (2/80 i.e. 2.5%). In Conclusion the present findings indicate that HMSE scale is a weak tool in comparison to IHDS in terms of defining those with and without HAND. The IHDS may be of great value as a screening test for HAND.