Online Program

287605
Cognitive impairment among HIV+ women of color


Monday, November 4, 2013

Lynne C. Messer, PhD, MPH, Community Health - Urban & Public Affairs (SCH), Portland State University, Portland, OR
Evelyn Byrd Quinlivan, MD, Center for Infectious Diseases, UNC Centers for AIDS Research, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Katya Roytburd, MPH, Center for Infectious Diseases, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC
Charlie Upton, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Kevin Robertson, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, NC
Background. Cognitive impairment is associated with aging and may be especially pronounced among the HIV+ population, in whom HIV infection has documented neurological effects. Objective. We explored the prevalence, correlates, and associations with health outcomes of cognitive impairment among HIV+ women of color (WOC). Methods. Fifty WOC consented to cognitive testing (CogState) and completed a brief psycho-social survey at UNC's Infectious Disease clinic (summer 2012). Following a 30-minute testing battery (resulting in 6 standardized scores), interviewers asked about depression and anxiety, substance use and documented learning disabilities or neurological deficits. Multilogit logistic models resulted in risk ratios and 95% confidence intervals for the 3-level impairment variable (none, mild or equivocal, moderate or severe). Results. Participants generally had low education (88% <=ighschool), were not married (78%) and had been living with HIV for over six years (87%). One-half the sample reported at least one bout of serious depression but most were not on depression / anxiety medication (70%). While most women reported historical substance use (54%), few reported currently using (6%). Only 28% of women had no cognitive impairment while 38% had moderate or severe impairment; 28% of women were between 40-49 and 36% were between 50-59 years of age. Only historic substance use was associated with cognitive impairment in this sample Conclusions. Cognitive impairment is prevalent among HIV+ women of color. As this population ages and the neurological effects of HIV become manifest, the cognitive health of the HIV+ population will become increasingly important for research, practice, and policy.

Learning Areas:

Epidemiology
Public health or related research

Learning Objectives:
Describe the process of cognitive testing in a clinical setting Explain the correlates of cognitive impairment among an HIV+ sample of women of color Discuss the prevalence of cognitive impairment among this sample

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to be an abstract author on the content I am responsible for because I am an epidemiologist who has analyzed these data in collaboration with neurological scientists and HIV physicians.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.