Neurocognitive function in HIV-infected persons with asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia: a comparison of three prospective cohorts

Table 3 Population characteristics and average neurocognitive test Z-scores for 73 persons with asymptomatic cryptococcal antigenemia

	Pre-ART visit week 2 of fluconazole		Week 4 of HIV therapy week 6 of fluconazole		Intra-person change
Population Characteristics	Average	SD	Average	SD	Change	SD	P-value
CD4 count (cells/uL), N = 60	32	±30	80	±74	47	±66	<0.001
Karnofsky score, N = 73	72	±12	75	±11	2.5	±10	0.04
CES depression scale, N = 73	19	±10	16	±10	−3.0	±12	0.04
Neurocognitive Tests
Symbol digit modalities	−1.9	±1.2	−1.5	±1.5	0.4	±1.0	0.002
Grooved pegboard dominant	−0.3	±1.3	0.1	±1.1	0.4	±1.4	0.02
Grooved pegboard non-dominant	−0.4	±1.5	-0.02	±1.3	0.3	±1.3	0.03
Color Trails 1	−2.4	±2.6	−1.0	±1.7	1.4	±2.3	<0.001
Color Trails 2	−3.7	±2.6	−1.9	±1.6	1.7	±2.1	<0.001
Digit span forward	−0.5	±0.9	−0.3	±0.9	0.2	±0.9	0.15
Digit span backward	−1.4	±1.4	−1.1	±1.3	0.3	±1.2	0.03
Auditory verbal learning	−2.2	±1.4	−1.2	±1.5	1.0	±1.2	<0.001
Verbal fluency	−0.9	±0.7	−0.6	±0.7	0.3	±0.7	0.005
Finger tapping	−2.3	±1.1	−1.9	±1.0	0.4	±1.1	0.002
QNPZ-8	-1.7	±1.0	−1.0	±0.8	0.7	±0.7	<0.001

Numbers represent Z-scores referenced against age and education adjusted, HIV-negative Ugandan population norms. Initial testing was performed at the pre-ART visit which was 2 weeks after diagnosis of cryptococcal antigenemia and receipt of fluconazole pre-emptive therapy. Statistical testing by paired t-test

ISSN: 1471-2377