Neurocognitive Disorder and Emotional Symptoms in HIV+ Brazilian Elderly: Influence of Gender, Income, Diet, and Sleep

• Main Authors: Barroso, S.M (Author), Sousa, K.C.R (Author)
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2021
• Subjects: adult; aged; antiretroviral treatment (ART); antiretrovirus agent; anxiety; anxiety assessment; anxiety disorder; Article; attention test; Brazilian; cognitive deficits; cognitive function test; controlled study; depression; dietary intake; disease association; educational status; elderly; elderly care; emotional disorder; female; Geriatric Anxiety Scale; Geriatric Depression Scale; geriatric patient; health survey; highest income group; HIV associated dementia; HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND); human; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Human immunodeficiency virus infected patient; Human immunodeficiency virus infection; income group; major clinical study; male; neuropsychological test; nutritional value; problem solving; processing speed; protection; risk factor; risk reduction; sex difference; sleep quality; sleep time; sleep waking cycle; social status; vision test
• Online Access: View Fulltext in Publisher

 The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) and symptoms of anxiety and depression in HIV+ Brazilian elderly on antiretroviral treatments. The study included 112 HIV+ elderly who completed a questionnaire, tests for cognitive screening, attention, problem solving, processing speed, visual perception, memory, and anxiety and depression scales. The results showed presence of HAND (89.3%), pathological anxiety (48.2%) and depression (58%) in the sample. Higher income was a protective factor for HAND (OR = 0.33). Waking up well-rested (OR = 0.63) and better diet quality (OR = 0.62) reduced the chance of pathological anxiety. Higher education (OR = 0.74) and waking up well-rested (OR = 0.61) reduced the chance of depression. Being female (OR = 7.73) increased the chance of depression. It can be concluded that it is important to evaluate cognitive and emotional aspects of HIV+ elders and to consider social and educational status, diet, and sleep in interventions, paying special attention to elderly women. © Copyright © 2021 Barroso and Sousa.