The functional impact of HIV -related neuropsychiatric comorbidities
Abstract
Approximately 40,000 individuals acquire the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) each year. While New York City contains 3% of the United States population, 15.3% of those living with AIDS in the United States reside in New York City. HIV-infection is known to have neurological and neuropsychiatric consequences, but relatively little work has evaluated how HIV-associated NP deficits and depression relate to independent activities of daily living (IADL). The first hypothesized aim of this study, identification of a relationship between global and domain specific NP functioning and concurrent and follow-up (6 month) IADL abilities, was significant, with three baseline NP domains (Speed of Information Processing, Motor Skills, and Executive functioning) each uniquely associated with IADL abilities. The second hypothesis of this study, investigation of the relationship between Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) and IADL abilities, was not supported. The third hypothesis of this study, to identify if a predictive relationship existed between NP functioning and a standardized measure of depression on IADL abilities in an urban, ethnically diverse cohort was supported both concurrently, and in the progression of individuals from IADL independence at baseline to IADL dependence at 6 month follow-up. The fourth hypothesis of this study, to explore whether NP abilities, depression, or IADL functioning uniquely or jointly related to mortality, was not supported. The current findings point to the importance of cognitive remediation, environmental modification, and treatment of depressive symptomology in order to preserve IADL functioning and improve quality of life in an ethnically diverse, urban, HIV-seropositive population.
Subject Area
Clinical psychology
Recommended Citation
Paltin, Iris, "The functional impact of HIV -related neuropsychiatric comorbidities" (2009). ETD Collection for Fordham University. AAI3384644.
https://research.library.fordham.edu/dissertations/AAI3384644
