The researchers studied a subset of the North East AIDS Dementia (NEAD) cohort, a multi-center group of 396 patients with advanced HIV and low CD4 counts. They have been followed over time with serial neurologic, neuropsychological, functional, and psychiatric evaluations.
The researchers included only the 146 participants in this study who did not have HIV-related dementia at baseline or at their next follow-up visit (although they could have minor cognitive or motor disorder). For inclusion they also had to have had at least two follow-up visits.
Over a median follow-up of 31.1 months, 40 patients (27.4%) developed dementia. In addition, 65 (44.5%) had been diagnosed with minor cognitive or motor disorder at baseline.)
A univariate analysis found that baseline minor cognitive or motor disorder was significantly associated (P=0.03) with the likelihood of developing dementia. The hazard ratio was 2.01, with a 95% confidence interval from 1.06 to 3.78.
