Baseline Neurocognitive Functioning Predicts Viral Load Suppression at 1-Year Follow-Up Among Newly Diagnosed HIV Infected Patients

AbstractThe current prospective observational study evaluated the impact of baseline neurocognitive impairment on future viral load suppression among antiretroviral medication naive persons newly diagnosed with HIV infection. We used the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score less than 26, to identify patients with neurocognitive deficits. Of the 138 patients enrolled; virologic suppression was seen in 61% of the participants, while 72% of the participants had a MoCA score less than 26 at baseline. Variables significantly associated with low MoCA score included higher age (p  <  0.01) and presence of depression (p <  0.01). After adjusting for these variables, MoCA score less than 26 was significantly associated with a higher risk of failing achieve viral load suppression (adjusted OR 2.7; 95% CI 1.09–6.69). Baseline neurocognitive deficit as measured by MoCA was associated with a higher risk for failing to achieve viral load suppression at one-year follow-up.
Source: AIDS and Behavior - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research