Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND) in HIV-infected participants who initiated combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) during primary infection.
Design: Cross-sectional observational study.
Methods: HIV-infected men without neuropsychiatric confounds who had initiated cART during primary infection were administered a neuropsychological battery as well as questionnaires evaluating depression and quality of life. Eligibility was determined by a medical examination with history and review of records.
Results: Twenty-six primarily non-Hispanic white (73%), male (100%) participants were enrolled and underwent neurocognitive assessment. Mean age was 44 (28-71) years, with a median of 17 years of education (13-24). Median current and nadir CD4 T-cell counts were 828 (506-1411) and 359 (150-621) cells/μl. All participants had plasma HIV-1 RNA less than 50 copies/ml. Median duration of cART prior to enrolment was 5.7 years (2.2-9.9). Median global deficit score was 0.17 (0.00-0.60). Only one (4%) participant was impaired.
Conclusion: Rates of HAND in this cohort of HIV-infected men without comorbid conditions who initiated early cART are low. Our findings suggest a possible neuroprotective benefit of early cART and an important contribution of comorbidities to observed HAND prevalence.