Cognitive, Cerebrovascular Conditions Common in Older HIV Patients

Neurological complications associated with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection remain a concern among the aging HIV population receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) and may interfere with HIV eradication around the world.

In particular, this patient population has an increased risk of conditions such as distal symmetric polyneuropathy, stroke, immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome, and various other neurological impairments due to the tendency of the virus to hide in the central nervous system.
__________________________________________________________________________

RELATED CONTENT
HIV Incidence Still High Among Certain Groups
Comorbidity Is More Common in HIV-Positive Patients
__________________________________________________________________________

These complications often arise from factors including opportunistic infection, immune reconstitution, and adverse events associated with antiretroviral treatment (ART), according to findings from a comprehensive review of data on HIV-associated neurological complications.

Ultimately, the authors of the review found that patients with the highest risk of developing neurological complications include immunocompromised patients, as well as those who live in settings with limited resources.

“Further neurological research in low-income and middle-income countries is needed to address the burden of neurological complications in [HIV-positive] patients, particularly regarding [central nervous system] viral reservoirs and their effects on eradication,” the researchers concluded.

—Christina Vogt

Reference:

Thakur KT, Boubour A, Saylor D, Das M, Bearden DR, Birbeck GL. Global HIV neurology: a comprehensive review [Published online March 15, 2018]. AIDS. doi:10.1097/QAD.0000000000001796.