International Journal of General Medicine (Apr 2022)
HIV-Associated Neurocognitive Disorder (HAND): Obstacles to Early Neuropsychological Diagnosis
Abstract
Zsolt Vastag,1,2 Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu,2,3 Elena Cecilia Rosca4,5 1Doctoral School, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania; 2Clinical Hospital of Infectious Diseases and Pneumology Victor Babes Timisoara, Timisoara, 300173, Romania; 3The XIIIth Department - Pulmonology, Center for Research and Innovation in Personalized Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Timișoara, 300041, Romania; 4Department of Neurology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy of Timisoara, Timisoara, 300041, Romania; 5Department of Neurology, Clinical Emergency County Hospital Timisoara, Timisoara, 300736, RomaniaCorrespondence: Elena Cecilia Rosca, Department of Neurology, Clinical Emergency County Hospital Timisoara, Bd. Iosif Bulbuca No. 10, Timisoara, 300736, Romania, Tel + 40 746 173794, Email [email protected] Ovidiu Fira-Mladinescu, The XIIIth Department - Pulmonology, Center for Research and Innovation in Personalized Medicine of Respiratory Diseases, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, Eftimie Murgu Sq. No. 2, Timisoara, 300041, Romania, Tel +40 745 608856, Email [email protected]: Despite the recent advances in HIV treatment, HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) prevalence remains high, especially in the mild forms. Current recommendations endorse routine screening for HAND and early identification, but there are several obstacles in diagnosing and managing cognitive impairment in people living with HIV. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview of the concepts and diagnostic tools in the field of HAND and report on the strengths and limitations of currently available approaches.Keywords: HIV infection, cognitive disorders, neuropsychology, cognitive test, screening
