A SCREENING-TEST FOR SUBTLE COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENT EARLY IN THE COURSE OF HIV-INFECTION

The authors report on the use of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Cop y (ROC) and Memory (ROM) test as a bedside screening measure of cognit ive impairment in 67 HIV-seropositive persons (43 men, 24 women). HIV- seropositive individuals scored significantly worse than 49 HIV-serone gative matched individuals (33 men, 16 women) in the control group on the ROC (P = 0.045, effect size = 0.39), but not on the ROM test. The scores did not correlate with stage of HIV infection, CD4a cell counts , cerebrospinal fluid parameters, or measures of affective state. No g ender effects on performance were noted. It is concluded that while co gnitive deficits may occur early in asymptomatic HIV disease, the ROC/ ROM test as the authors used it is not a useful screening tool for cli nicians. The study also suggests that the growing number of HIV-positi ve women should be included in neuropsychological studies of early HIV disease.