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.