[Study of neurological and cognitive changes in patients in stage III and initial phases of stage IV of infection by human immunodeficiency virus type 1].

BACKGROUND

To evaluate the prevalence of neurological and cognitive disorders in patients with the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1).

METHODS

A transversal prospective study was carried out in 56 patients with HIV-1 and in 18 seronegative subjects by a protocolized neurological and cognitive examination.

RESULTS

Twenty-seven patients were intravenous drug users (IVDU) and 29 were male homosexuals. Nineteen were in stage III of HIV-1 infection and 37 were in the initial phases of stage IV. No significant differences were found in the cognitive performance of patients in stage III when the control group was compared with seropositive patients. Significant differences were observed in stage IV in the Rey figure complex tests the B trace test and the number key. Three stage IV patients presented dementia criteria. No significant differences were seen in test performance upon comparing the ex-iVDU seropositive subgroup with the male homosexuals nor in the stage III or stage IV groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Cognitive performance of stage III patients did not significantly differ from that of the seronegative control group; a global diminution in cognitive performance was observed in the stage IV group and there were no differences in the cognitive state between the two risk groups analyzed.