Language and executive function of clinical stage-1 HIV patients in an industrial scenario: Extent and implication

Abstract

Background: Asymptomatic and mild form of the neurocognitive disorder in individuals with human immunodeficiency virus infection is still prevalent and a chief problem worldwide although the severity of the neurocognitive complications is decreasing after the introduction of combined highly active antiretroviral therapy. Aim: To study language and executive dysfunction of HIV patients in Clinical Stage 1 in an industrial scenario in Western Maharashtra as compared to healthy controls. Material and Methods: The Wisconsin card sorting test and Addenbrooke cognitive scale were done to check for executive function and language, respectively, and compared to age- and gender-matched HIV-negative controls. Results: Both the results of the WCST and Addenbrooke cognitive scale showed a decline in scores in the cases as compared to the controls overall. The distribution of cases as per the gender showed no significant difference, whereas there was a significant difference as per the age. Conclusion: In asymptomatic HIV patients, there is a decline in executive function and language as compared to the healthy controls. As most of the individuals were employed, there is a need to assess their neurocognitive function regularly as the progress of the illness can be monitored and cognitive training can be advised in these HIV-positive patients, which will not only benefit the individuals but the industrial sector in the long run as well.