Heloise Joly1, Matteo Vassallo2, Margaux Issaurat1, Roxane Fabre3, Christian Pradier4, Christine Lebrun-Frenay1. 1. Centre de Ressources et de Compétences sclérose en plaques (CRCSEP), Department of Neurology, Pasteur 2 Hospital, Côte d'Azur University of Nice, France. 2. Service de Medicine Interne, Centre hospitalier de Cannes, Cannes, France. Electronic address: m.vassallo@ch-cannes.fr. 3. Université Côte d'Azur, CoBTeK lab, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Department de Santé Publique, Nice, France. 4. Université Côte d'Azur, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Nice, Département de Santé Publique, Nice, France.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Information Processing Speed (IPS) is one of the earliest cognitive domains impaired in both multiple sclerosis (MS) and HIV-infected patients. Our aim was to study whether the Computerized Speed Cognitive Test (CSCT), an ultra-rapid tool which detects IPS impairment and is already used in MS subjects, could also be useful to screen for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). METHODS: The Neuracog study was an open-label prospective trial conducted in Nice and Cannes hospitals. Each patient performed a wide range of neuropsychological (NP) tests. Patients were defined as no-HAND or HAND. Groups were compared to measure sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of CSCT for detecting HAND. RESULTS: Eighty-six subjects were included (26 women, 60 men, mean age: 53.1 years). HAND was diagnosed in 67/86 patients. The CSCT z-score showed a highly significant difference between the no-HAND and the HAND groups (No HAND mean: -0.1, SD: 1.0 versus HAND mean: -1.1, SD: 1.6; p = .002). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 81%, 53%, 86% and 43%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CSCT is an easy-to-perform test allowing detection of mild forms of HAND, to be considered among screening tools for neurocognitive impairment.
OBJECTIVE: Information Processing Speed (IPS) is one of the earliest cognitive domains impaired in both multiple sclerosis (MS) and HIV-infected patients. Our aim was to study whether the Computerized Speed Cognitive Test (CSCT), an ultra-rapid tool which detects IPS impairment and is already used in MS subjects, could also be useful to screen for HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). METHODS: The Neuracog study was an open-label prospective trial conducted in Nice and Cannes hospitals. Each patient performed a wide range of neuropsychological (NP) tests. Patients were defined as no-HAND or HAND. Groups were compared to measure sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of CSCT for detecting HAND. RESULTS: Eighty-six subjects were included (26 women, 60 men, mean age: 53.1 years). HAND was diagnosed in 67/86 patients. The CSCT z-score showed a highly significant difference between the no-HAND and the HAND groups (No HAND mean: -0.1, SD: 1.0 versus HAND mean: -1.1, SD: 1.6; p = .002). The sensitivity, specificity, PPV and NPV were 81%, 53%, 86% and 43%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The CSCT is an easy-to-perform test allowing detection of mild forms of HAND, to be considered among screening tools for neurocognitive impairment.