AI Article Synopsis

  • In sub-Saharan Africa, diagnosing AIDS dementia is challenging due to under-medicalization, delays in seeking care, and varying causes of dementia.
  • A retrospective study analyzed 196 patients hospitalized for dementia at the University Hospital of Conakry from 2016 to 2021, using DSM-IV and AAN classification criteria.
  • The findings indicated that HIV-positive patients exhibited severe cognitive and motor impairments, with diagnosis supported by serological tests and MRI imaging, emphasizing the need for careful differentiation from other types of dementia.*

Article Abstract

Introduction: In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the clinical and progressive diagnostic certainty of AIDS dementia is difficult to establish due to under-medicalization and delays in consultation and especially the diversity of etiologies of demented states.

Material And Methods: We carried out a retrospective study of 196 patients hospitalized for dementia syndrome between 2016 and 2021 in the neurology department of the University Hospital of Conakry. The criteria labeled in this study are those retained by the DSM-IV and the classification of the American Academy of Neurology (AAN) developed in accordance with the WHO.

Results: HIV etiology was identified in patients aged 44-67 years (17 women and 19 men). The clinical picture was dominated by severe cognitive disorders, slowed ideation, memory disorders and reduced motor skills associated with personality changes. Neurological examination revealed dysphoric disorders in most patients, sphincter abnormalities in 13 cases and labio-lingual tremor in 11 cases. Diagnosis was based on positive serological tests for HIV1 antibodies (25 cases) and HIV2 antibodies (1 case) using the Elisa and Western blot techniques, and the presence of discretely hypercellular CSF. Magnetic resonance imaging contributed to the diagnosis, showing diffuse white matter abnormalities with hyper signals on T2-weighted or FLAIR sequences.

Conclusion: This study shows a non-stereotype clinical picture of AIDS dementia requiring a differential diagnosis with other infectious dementias. These results are important for the therapeutic and prognostic discussion.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC10612157PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/s40001-023-01423-wDOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

aids dementia
12
neurology department
8
department university
8
university hospital
8
hospital conakry
8
clinical picture
8
current clinical
4
clinical presentations
4
presentations aids
4
dementia
4

Similar Publications

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!