AI Article Synopsis

  • HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) significantly affects adults living with HIV, but their personal experiences and coping strategies remain underexplored.
  • A study involving 25 participants revealed that individuals with HAND face fluctuating difficulties with concentration, memory, and multitasking, and often struggle to discuss these issues with healthcare providers.
  • Despite the challenges, participants found value in receiving a HAND diagnosis, seeing it as a source of validation, and emphasized the need for improved communication and support from healthcare professionals.

Article Abstract

HIV-associated neurocognitive disorder (HAND) is common, but the lived experience of HAND is not well-understood. In this descriptive qualitative study, we explored how adults with HAND view, manage, and obtain support for cognitive difficulties. We interviewed 25 participants (20% female; median age = 51 years) who were diagnosed with HAND using neuropsychological assessment and a clinical interview. Semistructured interviews, co-developed with community members living with HIV, focused on how cognitive difficulties manifested and progressed, impacted well-being, and were discussed with others. We analyzed interview transcripts using a team-based, thematic approach. Participants described concentration, memory, and multitasking difficulties that fluctuated over time, as well as potential risk factors, management strategies, and psychosocial consequences. They reported they seldom discussed cognitive impairment with health care professionals, and that receiving a HAND diagnosis was validating, informative, yet somewhat disconcerting. Conversations between health care professionals and people living with HIV about HAND may provide opportunities for education, assessment, and support.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1177/1049732318761364DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

cognitive difficulties
12
people living
8
hiv-associated neurocognitive
8
neurocognitive disorder
8
view manage
8
manage support
8
support cognitive
8
living hiv
8
health care
8
care professionals
8

Similar Publications

Early detection of focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) using brain MRI in young children presenting with drug-resistant epilepsy may facilitate prompt surgical treatment, resulting in better control of seizures and decreased associated cognitive difficulties. Characteristics of FCD described in the literature are predominantly based on MRI findings in a fully myelinated brain; therefore, changes occurring during early brain maturation are not well known. In this case report, we describe distinct MRI features of a FCD visualized best before completion of myelination of the cortex and subcortical white matter.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objective: Few reliable patient characteristics have emerged as significant predictors of outcomes for Social Anxiety Disorder (SAD). This study aimed to explore whether affect integration, metacognitions, and maladaptive schemas could serve as predictors of therapeutic outcomes for patients with SAD. Relationships between these psychological constructs and baseline SAD symptomatology were also examined.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Unlabelled: Central auditory disorders (CSD) - this is a violation of the processing of sound stimuli, including speech, above the cochlear nuclei of the brain stem, which is mainly manifested by difficulties in speech recognition, especially in noisy environments. Children with this pathology are more likely to have behavioral problems, impaired auditory, linguistic and cognitive development, and especially difficulties with learning at school.

Objective: To analyze the literature data on the epidemiology of central auditory disorders in school-age children.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Prevalence of Disability Among Older Adults in Prison.

JAMA Netw Open

December 2024

Department of Health Policy and Management, Bloomberg School of Public Health, The Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, Maryland.

Importance: The number of older adults in long-term correctional facilities (prisons) has increased rapidly in recent years. The cognitive and functional status of this population is not well understood due to limitations in the availability of longitudinal data.

Objective: To comparatively examine the prevalence and disability status of the population of adults 55 years and older in prisons and adults living in community settings for a 14-year period (2008-2022).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!